Update On Joanne

Have I told you that I love you today?

It's raining. Pouring, really. David Gilmour (from Pink Floyd) is singing "Shine On You Crazy Diamond".
Rain and Shine.

We talked yesterday, the kids and I. A good talk. I held up pretty good through it, but did have a few moments of tears. When they talk about their mom they decided they will use "passed away" to express what has happened.
"It's more mature," says Darcy.
"It was only her body anyway," Dylan said.
"It just sounds right," said Dean

We were in the pool when talking about this. Calm, warm, soothing water encircling us.

I don't have my ring on anymore, it's with all of Joanne's at home. So I talked to them about designing a "family ring", where Darcy can have the big diamond (Yes!, she liked that idea very much) and they can share the rest from the wedding band and anniversary ring. We will melt the gold and mix it with new gold, and we will all share it's unending beauty. Of course they will have to be re-sized as fingers get bigger, but they all did promise to wear their ring.

We promised each other that Friday nights will be "games" night. A night when we all sit together and play something and/or do something together. We realize that we lead busy lives and that some Friday nights might not be available, so we will do it one other night during the weekend.

I also have "suspended" my rule of no sleepovers during the week during school. For the next little while anyway. There are going to be some nights when they just need a "mom" to talk to them, hug them and love them in that special way only a mom can.

The idea of just staying here in Florida came up - I had wondered, whether or not they had thought about that. It was truly amazing for me to watch them process this and realize what lives they have to get back to. Friends, family, hockey, dance, guitar. They realized that to stay here would only be like running away from a problem - it eventually catches up to you, and more likely than not has changed into something worse. A big, heavy, wet-snow filled driveway - absolutely the most difficult to clean.

Then we had enough of our serious talk. I picked up Dean and chucked him in the deep end. Same with Darcy. Dylan knows I can't do that with him so he came over and gave me a headlock, and I was challenged to get out of it! He is so strong - physically, emotionally and spritually.

What great children I have.
What a legacy.
Have I told you that I love you today?

SYLYM