It will be such a relief to have this behind you, Sophia. What an accomplishment.

Ah, it is my step-dad's and SIL's birthdays today too.

Kind of reeling here. 2 of my cousins died. My mother had one brother and he had 2 daughters. One sister lived in AZ and the other in NY. Gloria died in Phoenix and 12 hours later Nancy died in NY. Obviously we think it was the grief as they were very close despite the miles. They were both in their 80s with health issues, but still, that is a lot for the families. My sisters and I were considering that they will join up with their aunt, my Mom, and have tea together again. One was Jewish, another Jehovah Witness, and the 3rd Catholic. They were all very close because their devotion to their faith wasn't a conflict but something they respected in each other.

I'm really irritated on your behalf about your life getting interrupted, amyth. I really hope your school works with you.

{{{Laura}}} I'm so sorry for your losses.

Aw, Laura, a one-two punch of grief like that is a lot to take

I am so sorry, Laura. That is indeed a lot. {{}}

Laura, that's heart-breaking. Much love to your family.

Oh Laura, I'm so sorry.

Amyth, I think my yoga teacher has/had leukemia, although I know no details, so just to note that this is definitely a bump in the road, it's not the end of anything.

{{{Laura and family}}} That is too much in too short a time.

amyth, now I'm not only sad and worried for you, I'm extra furious at the leukemia for it's incredibly shitty timing. Not that there's ever a good time for it, but Fleabag and a book exchange and travel and birthdays and concerts and a degree! It's already awful; why does it feel the need to be so petty?

ICompletelyON, I had possibly the most spectacular overheard-in-passing encounter on the way to the shuttle this morning: Coming up the hill to the hospital, I passed a woman coming down the hill from the hospital. Stocky, somewhere between me and my mom in age, her hair in a cut I guess you might call Retired HR Middle Management and aggressively bottle blonde. She reeked of cigarette smoke—no cigarette in hand, but that almost visible aura longtime smokers wear even when they're not smoking. She was on the phone, and as our paths crossed I heard her say, "—and if they give us any crap, we're going to fuck up their—" And then the fog swallowed her up, and that's all I know.

I am in hold music hell trying to deal with medical coverage fuck ups. Send help.

They disconnected me after 20 minutes on hold!