Thank you, Kate. Sometimes it's hard to see yourself as others see you. It's always a delight to see you around. I hope that things are getting better for M and his family. I think of his brother every time I hear another story about Metro safety.

Oh, Jilli. That's a whole crapload of stuff. Kittens, though! Adorable baby animals should help a bit, once the -proofing is done.

smonster, that's fabulous news. I really hope this leads to a paying job that's everything you've hoped for.

Hil, I'm glad you figured out a way to make it work.

smonster,cool! Hey, have you seen Mac since I gave you the check from my mom for the Village? Just wondering...

You need to apply for that CL job ASAP!!

smonster, that's awesome!

I hope that things are getting better for M and his family.

Thank you, sweetheart. It's been a rough year, but I do think things are getting a little better. M has been writing about his brother a lot, and his parents have both been stretching themselves in various ways: doing some traveling, in his mom's case, and starting a new relationship, in his dad's case. So that's all to the good.

I may have shared this story here before, but M's parents have both been going to therapists, and his dad's therapist told him, "What will really help is grandchildren." His dad responded, "Do you think I can get a prescription for that?" So, you know, we're working on it...

"What will really help is grandchildren." His dad responded, "Do you think I can get a prescription for that?"

Oh, my. Well, it's good that you're all on the same page, there. It's good to hear about how they are dealing with the situation. Figuring out how to move forward while honoring someone's memory may be one of the hardest things people have to do.

Hey, have you seen Mac since I gave you the check from my mom for the Village?

Um. No. It's on my mantel. Plan is to take it out there this weekend. Feel free to remind me!!

You need to apply for that CL job ASAP!!

I know! I will! Just... so... sleepy... zzzzzz...

snerk - a parent's revenge (if true)

We'll get through this, and hopefully our sojourn in the Land of Not-Coping will be short.

Much love to you, my dear. I wish I could make it better for you.

Can't say it any better than that. {{hugs to all that wants em}}

Yay, smonster. Sounds like things are really falling into place for you.

So, you know, we're working on it...

Enjoy!

Well, it's good that you're all on the same page, there.

Oh, for sure -- I doubt that story would have made it to our ears if his dad didn't know that we also want kids.

Enjoy!

Heh, thanks!

So DH did the one thing I told him not to do--google melanoma and survival rates. Thanks to Ginger, I talked him off the ledge. The length of time until his surgery is already starting to get to him.

Kate, I'm glad to hear that life continues for all of you, even though it's not what everyone expected. I hope everyone gets to the point where they remember him with only fondness rather than sadness.

Mom did not freak out. She said, "I'm so happy for both of you. Tell D this means he has to come to family gatherings at the park from now on."