ABSENCE UPDATE

Hello, everyone.  I am praying all is well with you.  And, thank you all so very-very much for the many condolences and prayers; all are so very much appreciated.

I'm hoping this post goes through as my brother's computer is old, extremely slow, and very finicky.  I attempted earlier to visit some of you but it took so long to pull up your blogs it would time out.  I'm pretty bored right now sitting here by myself with nothing to do but think.

I'll begin by saying,  the news is that nothing physical was found that could be attributed to my nephew's heart attack.

As for me, I am in still in Philadelphia.  My brother left for Fargo early Tuesday morning without me.  I am here with my neice.  The reason, as it happens, my brother was only made aware Monday evening my nephew was an organ donor; therefore, the hospital immediately begin removing his organs once he arrived at the hospital Sunday night-- another shocking blow!!!  My brother waited until I got here to tell me.  He and my nephew's mother arranged to have what was left of my nephew cremated shortly after my brother arrived there yesterday afternoon.  As you can imagine they are both devastated.  I know it must just double the pain  my nephew had never told him (or his mother) he was a donor, and to come as a total surprise to everyone.  As there will be nothing to view, there will only be a memorial on this Thursday (tomorrow); my brother will be leaving coming back here immediately after the service.  As my little neice had already missed so many "snow" days out of school and because there was no chance of her having the opportunity to see and/or tell her brother good-bye, my brother decided it would be best for her not to be there while he and his ex-wife attended to the arrangements.  So, here I am trying to occupy and comfort her as best I can when she comes home from school and settles down.  She was fine at while at school and with her little friends yesterday, but after the day's activities were over last night, it hit her like a ton of bricks, and it was so very painful.  After a rough night, I was willing to let her stay home from school today but she wanted to go.  I guess it'll be the same tonight; if so, I'm praying for the strength to get through this again.  My main objective was to come be supportive of my brother and as this was how he needed me, I really have no choice; but it's heartbreaking enough for an adult -- even more to watch a child trying to cope.  Life has so many twists, turns and surprises; I guess we just do what we have to do.  I do hate not being there to comfort my brother and my nephew's mother, and having to miss the memorial; though, fortunately, after being divorced, my brother and my nephew's mother remained good friends, so at least they have each other to get through what needed/needs to get done.

Before my brother left for North Dakota, he introduced me to a couple of his neighbors.  They are so very kind; they have checked on Priscilla and me several times already, and even prepared and brought us dinner yesterday evening.  Of course I'd prepared a meal for Priscilla and me, so we have something for tonight.

So, this is where things stand right now.  I plan on being back home Friday evening or early Saturday morning, depending on when my brother gets in and when my flight is confirmed.  If I can touch base before then I will.  In the meantime, I do hope this post goes through without timing out.

I miss you and hope you're doing happy crafting!