I've missed your smile

You head in the cloud newlyweds put us all to shame with your optimism!

And I know that optimism will really help your mom get through her upcoming ordeal.

It's nice to see you again, Lady J and I hope you have a great holiday.

Thank you Boomer. It's wonderful to see you as well.

Lady J

We have missed you dearly, also. It sounds like you have had a busy, busy time. I can relate to the "moving" bit ....as I have just moved, also. Is still unpacking and getting used to things, but I love it! Much longer drive for me to get to work, but I am adjusting to that. Not sure how well I'll "adjust" when the snow flys.

Your Mother is in my prayers, as are you, as well.

God bless ~ and don't be a stranger!

Remember the frog, Lady J? He greets you...

wow Lady J, you must really be gettin' some.


woooo hooooo!

'Course she's gettin' some Chai...they've just been married.



Nice to see you LadyJ!

Lady J is just so gosh-darned SWEET!

Best wishes to you and your mom.

Hold your dominion.

Newlyweds, huh?

In that case, hold HIS dominion.






Oh, you are?! [size=7]nevermind.......[/size]

Thank you all so much. And yeppers, newlywedhood does have some really great perks! Oh, yeah!! I wouldn't trade this time around for anything! As one here on A2K once mentioned quite awhile ago, the best definition is Bliss.

As I mentioned my mom in my first post, I did want to let you know that her situation has taken a turn for the worse. Osso mentioned in another thread that I seemed a bit stressed when I described myself as being rather stoic right now and she is one astute lady. The oncologists have determined that my mom's breast cancer from two years ago has indeed metastasized without any symptoms other than her telling the oncologist that she had been feeling drained the past three months. Well heck, she runs circles around anyone 1/4 her age (she's 71)! I would think she has a right to feel drained now and then. But unfortunately, it ended up more than just that. She now has noncurative Stage 4 lung and liver cancer. They started her on aggressive chemo immediately with the hope of a possible remission or at the very least, to buy her a bit more time. How much time, they have no idea. A lot will depend on her receptivity and reaction to the chemo. She is one stubborn little lady and a very determined fighter. She told her oncologist, I don't have time for this crap! I have plans! I have to go and see my daughter in Oklahoma in her new home!" That's my girl.

Honestly, it is her strength that I attempt to emulate, when I feel like losing it. The day Osso referred to regarding my stoicism was a day that I felt particularly shut down. As some of you know, my older sister was killed almost 4 years ago. During that year following her death, I had a total of 15 other relatives or very dear friends that also died. I literally became numb to death and dying, it seemed like such an everyday event in my personal life. It was more than just indifference, it was actually a preservation of mental health mode. My sister once told me that along with all the joys of coming from a large family, there will also be a lot of heartache. I felt tons of heartache during that year but after awhile, I just couldn't let it out anymore.

I am lucky to have a lot of very good friends in my life, but I can honestly say that I have (or had) only three best friends. Those three are (were) my sister, my mom and my daughter. When my mom leaves, I will end up as the "matriarch" of our core family. A role I was never expecting to have and never really wanted. Mom and sis have always done such a damn good job! Being the third born and second daughter, I was allowed to be a bit more whimsical, a bit more of a dreamer, a little less serious, but also very competitive as I strove to be as good as, if not better than, both my older siblings. I wanted to run faster, jump higher, swim longer and leave them in the dust when it came to school. They always rose to meet my challenges and give me a good run, but in time, I beat them both.

I know I'll get through this. 'Thing is, I don't want to have to!

Thanks friends, for letting me vent...whatever would I do without you?

Francis,

How did you know about the frog??

Thanks for 'splaining, LadyJ. Hugs to you and her, tough days.

<Bookmark, just in case Lady J decides to post some honeymoon photos.>


Welcome back, Lady J.

Lady J--

Hold your dominion.