Just keep me posted. We'll be in communication a lot over the next couple of weeks, anyway. But I def. understand if it would just make things more complicated.

This weekend, I'm going up to Arlington to visit my friend Cynthia whose mother recently died (and was buried in New Orleans, actually). This is the friend who, fifteen years ago, when my father died, took time off from her law firm in Norfolk, drove down to Chapel Hill, picked me up, and drove me to Miami so that I could get his affairs in order, plan his memorial service, and close up his apartment. Which was such a not-insignificant favor that I can never repay it. Luckily, she doesn't need or want me to, and is just happy to have me visit.

But if I can pay it forward in some small way, now that I can drive, I'm happy to.

I'm sorry about the timing, smonster. Not that the timing could ever be right. I am confident that you will celebrate Kara's life and memory in many ways, many times, if not at the official funeral. It all sucks.

This is the friend who, fifteen years ago, when my father died, took time off from her law firm in Norfolk, drove down to Chapel Hill, picked me up, and drove me to Miami so that I could get his affairs in order, plan his memorial service, and close up his apartment.

That is just beautiful.

I'm so sorry for your loss, smonster, DJ, and Nora and everyone who loves Kara.

I love the idea of giving him to the woods so that the woods can embrace him. Just beautiful.

He spent a good part of his life saving the woodland. I'm sure it will welcome him as the hero he was.

I am still not coping. I'm compartmentalizing so that I either have to put it out of my head while I attend a shitload of work events (it's a cocktail conference here, and I can't even drink my troubles away, because very bad things happen if I drink while sad or mad.) Or I cry pretty much nonstop at home.

I don't understand what my brain is doing. I know my heart is breaking.

I'm so sorry, everyone who knew and loved Kara.

A picture of my beloved, when we were all much younger.

[link]

Wow! Knightly garb was a good look for him!

Also, whoever does the spell check for iPads is a Doctor Who fan. It revised my typo of "ood" to "Ood".

It learns what you type. Including typos.

Wow. Viking indeed. Thanks for sharing that photo, Connie.

Nora, after Tales will you have some time to let yourself fall apart a little? I do feel better today, having been able to sleep yesterday and go to the vigil.

I have decided not to try and come back for the funeral. I hate it, but her family knows I am there for the long haul. And I need to spend time with my family. So, decision made. Thanks for offers of driving, amyth and Zenkitty.