Been enjoying self imposed Internet withdrawal for a few days.

First: B) You're s-t-i-l-l a "wild child," A) You're welcome.

Second: You and your mom are in my heart, thoughts, and atheist oriented
prayers; ergo: more or less blessed.

Third:  Patience.  Breathe deeply, stay centered, silence the
parent-child nattering nabob of negativity.  The focus is on nurturing
and demonstrating your art in the life gifts your mother gave you.

Fourth:  Good you know you're tired and stretched.  You're also in
grief.  Know I know this as do others on the list, especially those of
us who have experienced the joys of caring for ailing and dying parents.
Let our knowing give you sustenance.

Fifth:  Ask for all necessary support and assistance.  Ask for yourself
too.

My attempt at being practical.  No lecture intended.

Steve


------------------------------

Date:    Fri, 21 Apr 2000 22:43:04 EDT
From:    Betty Alfred <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Fw: How is everybody, etc.

In a message dated 04/21/2000 12:14:12 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< How's your Mom?  And you?
 >
 > Post me off List, if you choose.
 >
 > S. >>

We're hanging in there Steve, you're a doll for asking.  Mom had her
first
chemotherapy treatment Monday and slept most of the next three days.
She was
pretty cranky Monday after she came home, but I figured I could let that
roll
of my back if I really wanted to be an adult about it.  I'm a little
cranky
myself when my own pain gets out of hand.  I just tried to keep the
house
quiet while she was asleep, and jump on the phone before it rang too
many
times.

I'm tired myself, but I think some of that is psychological right now.
I
went to a Seder last night. That was a very special event for me.  Every
time
these particular friends invite me over for something it seems like I
have to
decline because they always plan long-lasting events.  As you know the
Seder
is no exception, but I really needed to participate.  I couldn't go last
year, and I really missed being there.  Today I paid for it but it was
worth
it.  I slept all afternoon.

We really have terrific neighbors who stop by every few days and will do
things we can't do.  They have been consistent with this and I don't
know
what I could possibly do to reciprocate.  I visited with them a little
while
tonight -- kind of a mini respite.  They have two children who are
adorable.
They make me feel young!

That's the whole report, I guess.  All in all, we are okay.  I wish my
Mom
didn't have to go through all this, but she does, and she does, and she
does.
 What can I do?

Thanks for asking Steve,
Betty
------------------------------
Date:    Fri, 21 Apr 2000 22:52:23 EDT
From:    Betty Alfred <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: With apologies to Deri!  LOL

In a message dated 04/21/2000 5:50:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<<
 > "I hope you have twenty children
 >  and they are all exactly like you."
 this is the best line ever on kids!  lol rofl!

  >>

She was hot when she said it too Mag.  Ha!  I guess that was the only
thing
she could think to spit out at the moment.  I was a pretty wild child.

------------------------------