:(

/hugs.

Gotta throw a :snap: your way. :)

Thanks for your responses, guys. I appreciate that you took the time to read and respond.

Though I feel like I didn't make it clear enough that this is a very autobiographical piece and I'm having a hard time dealing with the subject material. It seems that generally wasn't clear.

I'm sorry if my response came across as making light of the unhappy situation. I sometimes forget that not everyone's as ready for levity as quickly after difficult times as I tend to be.

No, it's not your unhappy situation so you're under no obligation to not make light. I don't recall if you made light of your father's suffering last year. But kudos if you did.

I am just definitely not ready to make light of my mother. I have typed and retyped this sentence about six times because there's no easy way to say that your mother's struggle is nearing completion.

:snap: - Thanks for putting that out there - beautifully reflective and thoughtful stuff. Hugs and encouraging thoughts coming your way from out East

No easy way, true, but there is a way to address it in a thoughtful and painfully beautiful way that acknowledges the battle your mother - and your entire family - has waged and the conflicting desires to both cling on and release. And this you have done most admirably. No one could ask for, nor even imagine, better.

My :snap: was for the bravery, thought and love you have for her to be able to write such an eloquent piece.

:snap: