I've come to the conclusion that there's really no correct answer to that question - we get asked it a lot and you are never quite sure how you are suppose to answer or how your answer is received. I'll tell you what we've been up to and you can make your own conclusion...
It was a busy and long week but for the most part I think we didn't do too bad. We returned to work and school on Monday and with the excitement and anticipation of getting back to friends and normal activities that day went well. After a couple of days with the excitement gone things became a little more subdued. For me visiting lawyers and filling out forms and the other details to attend to also tended to put a damper on things.
By the weekend, things really ramped up with Jen's season ending choir concerts on Saturday and Kris' birthday on Sunday, along with Sunday School wind up. Grandma spent the night in order to take everything in and Cathy and Bob and joined us for church. The birthday party followed and despite lots of apprehension Saturday I think the big guy ended up enjoying his birthday. There was the noticeable absence and the cake was from Safeway not one of Karen's famous ones but the day was beautiful and we ate outside. The choir concerts were also wonderful as usual and somehow the artistic director of PTV managed to work in the song Karen and I danced to at our wedding (both Louis Armstrong and PTV are right that It's a Wonderful World and a reminder never hurts). We were also reminded that in those bittersweet or just bitter moments You've got a Friend. It's interesting how a concert song list set months ago can include songs so appropriate for the moment....thanks Ruth.
Kris also had his soccer season kick off indoors at the university and now waits a couple of weeks until the fields are dry enough to play outdoors.
I also need to acknowledge all the good folks at the office. The monthly denim day was turned into a two day deal for April and the proceeds directed to CancerCare in Karen's memory - they raised a crazy amount of money in two days - thanks to all of you for the contributions and everything else you have done and keep doing for me!
One final thank you for this post - I have the good fortune (if you can call it that) of knowing a couple of very good people who are at various stages ahead of me on this path of loosing your spouse in your 40's - I spent a fair bit of time talking to both of them this past week and really appreciate them lending their ears and wisdom - you both know who you are.....thanks!
That's about it for now - we'll continue to post some thoughts and updates so you can keep tabs on how we are doing. Thanks for caring
Thanks for everything you do for us and for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers
Love
Doug
