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Divorce, Death & the Holidays

So, I'm driving in the slow lane on the NaNo expressway and along comes this eighteen-wheeler pulling not one trailer but three. The first trailer has "Divorce" spray painted across the gleaming silver surface. The trailer sways a little and I swerve. I slow as I swerve and lose a few days and nights of word counts. It seems no matter my intentions, I cannot escape its proximity. I speed up, it speeds up. I slow, it slows. So Divorce may not have ran me off the road but it has certainly created a great deal of worry in my life.

When I finally become comfortable with Divorce and I'm once again staying between the white lines and moving slowly but steadily forward, another trailer creeps up beside me. It's black and shiny. In a beautiful script hand is a single word: Death. It sways and I swerve. It strays into my lane and I pull of the road. Tears pour down my cheeks and my heart aches with memory and loss. The pain lingers still but there is nothing to do but to get back onto the NaNo expressway and try to find the will to move forward.

Only, there's construction barrels and flashing arrows directing me off the expressway. They leave no option. I have to take the exit ramp marked "Thanksgiving & Holiday Shopping". With a sigh...I do as I must and I merge with traffic. There's a mall ahead and a food center. They look both daunting and appealing.

I guess I'll have to settle for getting back on the NaNo expressway after the weekend.

Now for the Real Scoop

Divorce

My parents (dad and step-mom) are getting a divorce. Can't say the separation came as a surprise but the circumstances surrounding it did. Let's just say you never know someone as well as you think you do. People are capable of the most astounding and heartbreaking actions.

Death

My great-grandfather passed away Sunday, God bless him. He was 91 years old. He lived a full and wonderful life. I mourn not for what he will miss but for what I will miss and what my children will never know to miss. Goodbye, Grandpa.

Holidays

Thanksgiving is at my house this year. Supposed to be with Dad and step-mom this year but...well...considering the circumstances, I invited my in-laws to sup with us. I hope they prove a helpful distraction--Dad gets really emotional at any family gathering. The kids' birthday parties have been hell.

Friday I'm going Christmas shopping with my sister-in-law-to-be. I can't believe I'm getting up at 5:00 am so I can leave here by 6:00. I must be daft.

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