Hi, I just signed back on. I left in June. I went to camp Wawbeek (This is an Easter Seal Camp), family was here, went to Cornerstone , and last week, I went to Camp Courageous . Kathy Jo Kathy Jo Pink [log in to unmask] AOL IM ScreenName: kjptde -----Original Message----- From: St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Trisha Cummings Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 5:45 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Update on Amber and me Hi, I have been silent for several months due to getting the girls in = colleges, working - one part -time job went under, but it took 3 months = to happen and I got the next part time job while still working there - = so for about 6 weeks I was working 3 jobs, I had surprise surgery and = Amber's grandparental units are/where ill and failing. My Mom - Amber's = grandmother is finally getting better after a stroke, and surgery, it = was touch and go for awhile. Amber paternal grandfather is failing = badly, and its a day by day thing. While I don't mind the myriad of = things that have needed attention - it would have been nice if they had = happened consecutively and not at all the same time or overlapping - but = then that wouldn't be very realitic would it. On the bright side:=20 Amber and Alexandra graduated high school on 6/14. Yes, I cried. When = she first walked out I had this memory of her in the isolette struggling = to live and there she was now walking all grown up - a angelic vision in = an all white gown and fluffy hair with the white motar board perched = atop her head. She has really long hair - past her waist, and it was = perfect that evening. Her father came!!!!!!!!! He was resplendent in his = dress blues. I will post pictures eventually. Of Amber - not her father. = Alexandra got to sing and the she was sitting directly in front of Amber = - so it was kinda together. Amber was scared to death she was going to = trip - walking across the stage but she made it!!=20 Amber starts college - Northern Virginia Community College - next = Monday. Alexandra is being deposited at Christopher Newport University = tomorrow. Amber starting dating in the Spring and has a boyfriend - who = just left for Hawaii. If Amber stays here and continues at NOVA, I will = get her a car. She is thinking of transferring to Christopher Newport in = January. Oh, yes and now also the University of Hawaii. Actually, I am = not sure she has a good grasp on what she wants just right now , she is = being really annoyingly - a teenager at the moment. We had a family = dinner out last night - and I always wondered why when there is a family = of four one of the kids sits by mom and the other by dad. You would have = thought I had 2 eight year olds instead of 2 college bound young ladies. = They have truly become sisters - right down to the you are touching me - = Mom, she's touching me - make her move!!=20 We didn't get to go on our Graduation Cruise - as I was still recooping = from surgery and grandparents are still to ill. She gets a trip to = Hawaii at Christmas instead. I get a week in Florida next month (my = birthday present from my best friend) and a 4 day cruise in March. = Alexandra went to Italy for 18 days, with her xstepfather. She got to = briefly see her mom there.I started another Master's program - one in = Education - since I teach, thought it might be helpful.=20 I have been watching the posts, and thinking of you. Lots of smiles .... = when I see your names pop up on the e-mail list. I read lots, and still = am reading when ever I lay down. Have been sitting in my yard on the = patio in the early morning - having coffee, reading and enjoying the = weather. Amazingly unDC weather this year - all nice and comfy.=20 Trisha