To Sarah

I spoke to Sarah today. Well, I speak to her every day, but today, I spoke to her some important words. Not the usual ones like, "i am going to get you up", "time for breakfast", "let's change your shirt". No, not those. Bigger words. Big picture words. Today I told her "I think we are over the hump, we have made it to the other side". Actually, I was saying these things to myself as much as her, but when I verbally tell her something, it has more meaning, more finality. Because I don't ever want to lead her astray. I have to mean what I say to her. To myself, well, I can lie and get away with it. But to her I must always speak the truth, because she knows no other way. So today, the words just kind of flowed out and I believed them as I said them. I need to believe them just as much as Sarah does. And I do.

We are finally over the hump. It's been a long haul. But, Sarah is now 18, she is healthy, I am healthy, her federal govt social security is in place, guardianship is done, she has private health ins until she is at least 26 and medicaid forever. John is in a good place, he is stable. Jimmy, John and Lauryn are all on board with our move to DC. Jimmy has informed all their friends down there and they are all so very happy that we are coming. It feels good. Timing and finances are still to be discussed but that will happen. Jimmy and Lauryn would like me to take care of their little girl(yes, a girl!) come December and one of their friends wants to help take care of Sarah. John is prepared to make the long car ride with Sarah and I from the cape to DC. We will split it up into 2 days, staying at a hotel overnight midway down. I know services are there for Sarah in VA and DC, at least. Still not sure on MD. But 2 out of 3 isn't bad so far! Our pharmacy can phone in our meds/refills to a pharmacy in DC. I can almost get excited, but holding back just a bit till timing and finances are discussed. At that point, I will let out a woop-woop and then turn myself to the task of telling everyone up here. That will be hard.

So. Over the hump. Yup. Here's Jimmy at his 30th birthday party.

And at the cherry blossoms