What a Summer

What a summer it was. It's finally autumn, my favorite time of the year.

In June my husband was accepted into a PTSD program at a VA Hospital. It was a six week program a few hours from where I live. It was a tremendous help to him, to us, our marriage, and for our daughter.

In August, my daughter and I took a much needed trip to England where we toured The Cotswolds (an area where I lived when I was stationed there 20 years ago), and London. There were some lovely highlights...resting in St James Park, touring art museums and hearing a Candelight Baroque Symphony at St Martins in the Fields Church on the corner of Trafalgar Square. Also got to see dear former neighbors.

My brother called as I was waiting in line to board the aircraft home. He was in the hospital. We talked a few more times over the next few weeks. He was released from the hospital and I thought all was well. It wasn't. He was dying. Cirrhosis of the liver from drinking heavily over the years. Stephen fell into the category of: Powerless over the addiction to alcohol. So powerless in fact, that only death released him from its grip. He died Sept 9. Fortunately one of his buddies found him and ensured Stephen was surrounded by friends and family as he took his last breaths.

Life might be settling down a bit. My stepson is returning to our area. I go to a high school reunion next month. Life proceeds.

I really miss my brother though. Every death we experience adds on to our other losses. I'm just glad I believe that those who've gone on before are in a better place, completely cured, completely healed. My brother is dancing' with my dad and Jesus now.