Hello!
I tried to even up the balance today with the females and males on the Journaling....but I have not ever logged in, so I couldn't.
I have just 3 weeks ago returned from spending 102 that is one hundred and two days ....in Pennsylvania. My Mom will be 87 tomorrow and she has had the onset of either senility, dementia or Alzheimer's. We won;t know precisely until we do an autopsy, and she did not agree to that.... yet.  We will, most likely have to wait, since she has an older sister who is going to be 95, and an older brother who is going to be 92.And one younger who is somewhere in his early 80's. Long story, while I spent the 102 days away from my own family here in Virginia Beach, I faced my own demons of sadness and regrets.And abandonment. I did write the story of my days and thoughts, down every evening after reflecting on the events of that day. Some were funny, some reflective, some frustrated. I was also keeping in touch with my friends, here and there and everywhere, via e-mail. Some days they were upbeat and I am told, even comical. I do like to embellish when I write. I like the person reading it to think as if I were right there telling them a story, as such. My emails were replied to by many. I asked for jokes and I got many. I asked for phone calls periodically, and got several. Even from the two 80 something ladies I quilt with who have deemed me a transplanted bonafide Southerner! Afterall I have spent my last 26 years in Virginia. I spent only 18 in my parents home..... which rounding down, I have spent 32% of my life with biologicalfamily...68% away. Suffice it to say, the truest statement is "Friends are the Family we choose for ourselves"! I loved journaling. Be brief you say in your bylaws...that was brief!
I want to start a real book, log, blog, whatever, on how to remember the
whole experience. Your show gave me some food for thought. If I werre a face book person, I'd sign up. By I am trying to simplify and that seems to be one more thing for me to have to keep up with. I really enjoy Cathy. i have watched her career  since she was on the 6:00 news. Now that is another day's topic....