Quick update, surfing on Saturday was a bit of a washout because it was high tide, a bit rough and a bit choppy. So D9 had a hard time but still had a good time. We both are looking forward to surfing together again.
Yesterday afternoon D9 and I spent the afternoon and early evening with my wife. Why, because we were waiting for D10 to return from camp with my sister. From there I was going to drive D10 to my mother-in-law's for a week there. We all had dinner together that my wife cooked and it as really, really good and another one of those great dinners together. I really enjoyed hearing the girls laughing and enjoying the time together as a family.
During our time together my wife did her silent thing again. I was pretty tired so I didn't talk too much either. I did find myself feeling the same way again as I did earlier in the week. My I hate the silence! The difference this time was I didn't open my mouth and asked myself this question, "if I say something how will it help her feel better, how will it help her fall in love with me again?" The simple answer is it won't help at all on either point. It was really hard at times to keep quiet but in the end I felt a lot better about not saying anything. I can't say I felt like it was a good day of interaction for me at that moment but the end result felt good.
The end result, a lengthy goodbye because D10 just couldn't get it all together. But for us it meant 3 actual goodbye's with little hugs each time. Yes she actually did her one armed half hugs. Something she had not been doing these last couple of weeks. As we drove off my wife and D9 were waiting at the kitchen windows to wave goodbye. Sure she was waving to D10 but she looked at me a couple of times, smiled and waved. It was nice to have her do that again.
D10 and I finally got to my mother-in-law's house and had a bit more of a surprise, MIL was glad to see us both! She was talkative and got to telling me all about her recent trip to Canada. She even got out her pictures and I gladly sat and listened to her talk about each one. This is a huge departure from my reactions in the past, I hated those picture times. Once done it was bedtime for us all and my mother-in-law wanted to make sure I stayed and was comfortable. (I could have driven home if I wanted.)
One thing my wife hadn't told her mother about was that I had been laid off two weeks ago. To my surprise she offered to help me in my job search. Now that's a departure from the previous few months when she barely would give me the time of day.
Now I just look forward to Wednesday's outing to Harry Potter!
If we really want to love, we must learn how to forgive. - Mother Theresa
