Hi Paige.
Wow, I made myself laugh a little with some of those old posts. Just when I was thinking, “things suck”, I can really reflect on making some actual grief progress. Apparently, I left everyone on pins and needles about the portal. It did usually work but now that it’s winter, it is closed up. And, instead of becoming a drug addict, I went back to work. Yes, I too, was surprised to be hired by someone. Anyway, how are we doing? Let me break it down player by player.
Grace: remarkable improvement but increased moodiness due to what I’m hoping is a hormonal imbalance. Still doesn’t like to have friends over, but I am fairly certain that she does indeed have friends to not invite over. Other highlights include: refusal to drink generic bottled water, obsession with Harry Potter and an occasional sense of humor. Today, she designed a registration form and class catalog to teach Haley certain skills. After completely the art class, Grace wrote the following report on Haley’s behavior: ”she did a good job and seemed to enjoy class. She did not mention a dead sister. She must be getting used to it”. Thanks, Grace.
Haley: has a non-hereditary zest for life that even I cannot squelch. Girlfriend is happy. She enjoys snuggling, girl time and having a PJ day. Today was a PJ day, and she also enjoys changing PJ’s randomly during PJ day. Things she likes less: academics, subject and verb conjugation, Grace being bossy and Harry Potter (scares the shit out of her). She drew a family picture today and included you (she is excellent at sucking up to me).
Daddy: tough Christmas and has recently decided to take up hunting. As in killing deer. I wonder how you would feel about that, I think fascinated but ultimately against killing. With his luck, he’ll never actually make a kill so it’s probably just a good way for him to spend some quiet time out in nature.
Mommy: I’m with Dad on the tough Christmas. Last year’s Vicodin Christmas was indeed just a way to defer the pain until this year. I unfortunately couldn’t sleep my way through it. Most people are down and out in January, so I will just blend in. That’s always nice. I actually did have a pretty crappy fall (went to a psychic, freaked out a few times, etc). Something must have snapped because I am probably doing a little better now.
So, how the hell are you? How is heaven going? We were lucky enough to get a Christmas card that said you would want us to be happy. Yes, that was well received. I sometimes like to think that you are more “I don’t care if you are happy or not. It’s all fleeting, all you really have are love and death. I’m going to eat some ice cream”. Once I’m in heaven (I have to assume that given the full range of human behavior, I’ve done more good than bad), I’m cutting ties to earth. I hope you have done the same. I did actually put a life lesson into action recently. Remember when you and Maddy went out to the porch swing, and I just set you up instead of staying out there. Haley and Maddy were coloring a cardboard fort over here the other day. Instead of just getting out the crayons and wishing them luck, I pulled up a chair and made a memory. Haley said, “hey mom, this is nice that you are coloring with us”. Whatever, life lover.
We love and miss you,
Mommy
PS–congratulations on your first miracle–Uncle Bubs finally landed the girl 
