Thanks everyone. I'm sort of in a daze right now. I've been spending the last week or so sorting through and scanning old family photos and drawings. I've also been doing genealogy research, which I dabble with every so often. It's not only been interesting, I think it's actually been therapeutic to get more of a sense of family history at such a time.
I just found out my ancestors owned a castle in Scotland back in the 1700's . . . which makes me all the more excited for Brave.
And I found a drawing my mom did of Mickey from 1956 that reads "Join the Mickey Mouse Club!"
I'm printing some of the scans out and am burning the rest to a CD, this way I'll have a lot to share with my brother and his kids once we arrive.
I woke up to a message from him this morning. He spoke with our cousin's doctors and they believe she only has 2 to 6 weeks left to live . . .
She has pancreatic cancer, the exact same thing we lost our dad to. Fortunately we'd already made the plans with the car rental and hotel room for next weekend and we'll be set to start off Wednesday morning.
I've always considered her more of an aunt than a cousin; she and my mom were actually the same age and were best friends that grew up together. She's also the reason my parents met. When I was a kid she lived a block away from us and would often walk over to our house to play Scrabble with me and my mom. She's artistic and loves doing crafts and watching movies. She's also one of the sweetest, friendliest people I've ever known so I've always loved spending time with her.
I'm scared of what I'll see when we get to the nursing home; I can't help but think of my mom's last days in the hospice and my dad's final days in the hospital. I'm even more scared that we may not make it in time. I just know that I have to greet her with a smile as I don't want to rob her of any optimism. God, I didn't even know she was sick until two weeks ago. We lost an uncle to cancer back in November so it's been one hell of a year for us.
And my brother, well his divorce was put into motion around the time he received my wedding invitation last August, and it was finalized about six months later. He was understandably freaked out for months on end but seems to be more accepting of it now. He wasn't the one that wanted it; she just told him one day that she was tired of being married to him (after 16 years together raising 6 kids) and that she wanted the house and kids. She started openly dating other guys before he even agreed to the divorce, and just this past month he found out she'd already been cheating on him for years regardless. And that's only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to that crazy b*tch . . . she's got issues (oh, the stories I could tell!) and I know she's what got between my brother and I all those years ago. I'm actually relieved that they've divorced and that he's starting to see her for what she really is.
So I think he and I will be ok; thanks again to everyone for the well-wishes.
We've already talked over several things on the phone and I think a visit in person will tie up most of our loose ends. Anyway, I know I've been rambling and apologize for that. But maybe I've needed a chance to do so in a place where people can listen with an objective ear, away from family. And if you've actually made it this far, thanks for listening.
I'm just relieved I was able to sell enough prints to help with these upcoming expenses; I should be sleeping right now but my brain is so crammed full of emotions and memories that I can't stand the silence it takes me to fall asleep.
So it sucks that this site may disappear. Even though a lot of members have come and gone over the years, and even if it's only something that's remained largely intangible, it's warm and familiar and has been one of the few stable things I've had in my life since moving away from my home state. I'm sorry about the Google penalty and what it's doing to Luke, and while it's really none of my business, I also feel it's unfortunate that he didn't take up Rey's offer to help with the coding.
As for the negativity, I don't want you to worry
Divinity; it has nothing to do with you.
I just know of several members that have left unannounced due to similar reasons, and that in itself is already depressing.
I really do hope things can turn around with this place.
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