preparing...

six weeks is a long time

to be apart.

and we are preparing for the return

of the

curly haired girl

(which is what i always call her despite her having bone straight hair most days)

the initial return was delayed

and i remembered

that i was learning about patience

and sharing and how time away is sometimes

easier than time together.

(not that i like the truth of that statement but there it is)

next weekend we do the long drive

(happily)

listening to music

to collect the missing piece to our family

and we are delighted.

excited.

thankful.

blessed.

we are also aware

that the journey is not over

that there will be readjustment pains

and difficult conversations and confrontations

and there will be stretching and growing

and it will have moments that are so tough.

and moments that are so sweet.

and moments that are so funny.

and moments that are so frustrating

(for each of us)

and moments of nothing

and moments of everything.

"recovery is about more than

walking away.

sometimes it means

learning to stay and deal.

it's about

building and maintaining

relationships that work"

that is our prayer and our goal

rebuilding and maintaining

 a relationship

that works

with our most precious

most loved

curly haired girl.

7 sleeps till it all begins