we all know this feeling eventually, but so long as you remember them, they are always there...

*soft hugs...

Vix

*Nods*

Very wise sentiment!

Thanks, Vixy. I didn't get many hugs on the day of her funeral.

well... hugs are important...

*smiles... here's another...

*hugggggggg....

Vix

And thanks again. You know, the bad thing is, as important as she was to me, I have only cried for about 5 minutes since her passing. I'm saddened but I haven't been able to let the tears flow. Even my father, who wasn't known for showing emotions, cried like a baby at the funerals of his parents.

Condolences Hon..
Losing a loved one, but especially a Father/Mother, is really a traumatizing event.
Vix has the right of it however. Keeping them in our memories and honoring their life in various ways keeps their spirit alive, and by respecting it their love too.

This past Sunday, a friend of my mother from church, told me that today would be difficult. I told her, "No, the worst day will be April 9." That's the day she died AND the day after my birthday.

(This weekend.... eeesh!!!)

That's a difficult thing to endure, having such close 'Anniversaries' with such different sentiments/feelings...

I hadn't caught your note about trying the new meals for Thanksgiving, and doing so 'Solo.' Wish I'd caught it faster, so I could've shared the ephemeral (((Hug))) of friendship/camaraderie/Best Wishes for these Holidays. Hope the meal was good?

Well, actually, at 12:45, just as I was about to start cooking, a cousin called me and said that I was invited to eat Thanksgiving with her, her sisters, and their families. Even though the drive to the sister's house was 30 minutes, I decided to take her up on her offer. (As I said in the aforementioned journal, I can burn water.) All in all, it was a pretty good dinner. They also invited me over for dinner on Christmas Eve so I won't have to cook that day, too.

I too am 'Cooking Challenged,' though I've (yet) to actually burn water! (I ain't tempting the Fates by saying I can't achieve it however!)

That was so cool of your Cuz to contact you like that, and to extend it to the Yule Feast, too!

Well, she said I should have known that I was invited to Thanksgiving dinner with them but a) I don't like to impose on people at a time of family gathering and b) the cousin who called lives 70 miles away from me and her sister lives about 10 miles or so away. I wouldn't have known where to go had I been the kind to impose myself on them. So, I really did need that invitation. (I will admit that I was hoping someone would invite me to Thanksgiving dinner but I wasn't going to invite myself. LOL.)

Oh, BTW, have you had a chance to read Chapter 62, yet? If so, what do you think of it? I hope I made it believable and entertaining at the same time.

I'm with you about the 'Imposing myself' onto others. Even if very close friends/beloved family, I won't just show up unless it's a dire emergency and I HAVE to ask for help/aid. Those who know me know this is how I'm wired, so they just go through the polite ritual(s) of inviting/asking me if I'd like to come over, first.
I call it maintaining a healthy relationship by respecting others boundaries.


I've seen where the newest Chapter was posted, yes. That was (another) kick in my tush to get BACK to my notes, and proceed with the replies and lovely interactions we've had over the prior months. Found said 'Notes,' and every darned time I sit down, focus, and BEGIN to resume,,, something (Sometimes very trivial but still annoying things), interrupts, and then before I realize it, DAYS (WEEKS!) have passed, and then I realize, "Oh, HELL! I haven't done that, still!!!"

Quite frustrating, to be sure!

I have 'em, they're on the top of my 'To Do' Clipboard (I'm eyeing it as I'm typing, and know it's aware I'm aware it's there... I'm getting a tad too weird here... I stahp now).

Know that I shall get my tush in gear and get 'er done!

No problem. I really enjoy explaining things about the story. As I said, I've only got 2 or 3 more chapters and an epilogue before I'm finished with this story. However, I have another full-length story and a couple of shorter ones on my back burner waiting to be written and posted. The full-length story is a four-parter and I've got 3 of the 4 parts written. (Part 2 is kicking my tookus right now.) I'm hoping that by writing "There's No Way" I've taught myself how to put part 2 together.