06.17.05

Thank you to everyone who has sent their well wishes, prayers and positive thoughts. It's been a day of emotions interspersed with gratitude. I was able to share at the noon meeting, which was, coincidently, about acceptance. I am not one who normally shares what is going on in my personal life, but today I needed to get it out at the group level, and while it was not an easy thing for me to do, it helped me immensely. I wanted the group to know how grateful I am for the program of AA and for all the support I have been given during this week that has allowed me the privilege of walking through a lot of fear and emerging from it spiritually fit.

Tonight we did the usual Friday night dinner at Cafe Adobe. This is a small group that has been dining together on Fridays for nearly 13 years, and it was nice to be with comfortable people and comfortable food. Randall was a bit subdued, not surprising for someone who lost their mother today. We toasted the great lady that was Edie.

Monday is the gravesite service in Marshall, Texas, where Edie grew up. I know it will be difficult for Randall, and there are sure to be people there he hasn't seen in years. He is fragile healthwise, and this morning I asked him if he was thinking about delaying his second hip replacement (his first was a year ago April), and he is planning to wait until things return to some normalcy. He is now where my concerns lie. He and Edie had a remarkable relationship, and up until recently they talked daily. I know he will miss her tremendously, and all Jim and I can do is to be there for him and give him the love he needs while at the same time give him some privacy as he heals. My prayers are with him always.