What a great visit we all had in Ohio. Stressful, exhausting, but nontheless wonderful. The whole hospice thing is the way to go; I loved being able to spend dad's last weeks with him and share the time w/ the whole family, knowing dad was right there with us.

Grace and I had a good trip back. We found the most awesome zoo in the middle of nowhere in Kansas and that was probably the highlight of the trip; she had never been to a zoo before.

We got home last Sunday and I have spent the entire week in a lazy funk, unable to do anything but lay on the bed/couch/floor and veg. I managed to spend some time w/ all my babies, but I didn't even have enough energy to do that for long. Temps of 111 every day don't help much either. BTW, I did break up w/ Dan the day I got back. We are going to try to maintain a relationship and I really hope we can. He is so very sweet, just not the love of my life anymore.

I have 2 more weeks before I go back to work and am looking forward to the challenge of my new position as the counselor at 2 alternative ed sites instead of just one.

Mom, hang in there. I'm glad Colton was able to help a little longer. He is a good boy.

Love, Marcia

It was so good to have all the brothers and sisters here to support Tom. Especially glad that you all had a chance to say goodbye and still attend the funeral. I was worried about where his grave would be, since you have to take the next one available and can't pick out the place. Couldn't have been better -- right by Uncle Wilbur's and next to Cousin Mae's garden!! He would have loved that.

Marcia and Grace went on home in the motor home and left Colton with me. It has been a blessing to have him here. And they are having a ball taking their time going home. I am in a stage of complete denial about everything. I guess my mind couldn't cope with Tom and Eric both, so it just shut down. Probably when Colton leaves all hell will break loose.

Love to you all.