The memorial service for my FIL was this last Saturday. The middle son that you never hear about flew in to be there and spent a week with his youngest brother, John, who had run the gamut of feelings since Chuck moved to Oregon. In short, John missed him terribly and felt abandoned. They healed their relationship and spent a whole week of being "brothers" again.

At the family BBQ this last Wednesday, I had time to talk with Chuck and apologize for some very hurtful things I had said to him, some of which I didn't remember, but he wasn't afraid to bring them up. When I finished listing the things I had done, I told him I would do anything to make them up and if he wanted, he could turn me over and kick my ***. What I got was a laugh and a huge hug! He said the rest, time would take care of. My God! Depression can really do some awful things to your mind and memory!! But I thank my God for my son's forgiveness!

On the drive down to my FIL's service (I didn't go), my husband had a talk with my oldest son about the miscommunication we had about my grandson's birthday party. Whatever two men said to each other, stays between them, I guess, but my oldest son's attitude was totally different. What gave me my second thrill of the night at the BBQ was my favorite DIL's hug. It wasn't her usual, nano-second-quick, barely-feel-her-arms type of thing. She gave me a good, strong hug and hung on for a bit. Incredible!! It felt SOOOOO good because it was from HER. I love her dearly although we've had a bumpy relationship.

So much for the past problems. Other things that made me incredibly happy:

Autumn actually made the jello salad that my kids absolutely love. She sat in the corner of the countertop and followed my instructions to a T!

Autumn and her foster sister helped me cut the potatoes for the potato salad, one on each side of me! (SIGH!) Now THAT is being a grandmother!! LOL

When we sat down for the buffet dinner, ALL of my grandkids (attending) sat around me at the coffee table. I was surrounded by midgets!! I must have died and gone to Heaven for that space in time! (S-I-I-I-I-G-H!) They love me! They really do! hehehehe