When It Rains, It Pours

[♪CS♪]

Oh man, I feel much like I can finally relax for a bit. The last couple days have really taken every bit of strength I had.

So, I get to the in-laws house, W, BIL, and SIL#1 were out front checking on MIL’s car. SIL#1 was the first I came up to, we hugged, and I said a couple words. She smiled back and thanked me. I then got to W and BIL. Said high to both, W and I hugged quickly. W was just, IDK, in her own place I guess. She did not acknowledging me much at first. Very distant. She has been through so much.

MIL came out and we hugged. I think the only thing I got out was “I wish I had the words…” She thanked me for the flowers I sent. I told her I would always consider them family. I asked her if there was anything I could do while I was there. Nothing at the time but said there will be. Knowing her, I do expect her to call. I will help her in every way I can.

Then started getting D’s things out of the car. I also brought in all of the photos W requested. We went in and all talked for a bit. Really casual chat. I really didn’t say a lot, but talked about D a bit. MIL was on a few different calls talking about arrangements. As we are in there, SIL#2 came down, and we hugged. Both SIL1/2 started looking at the pictures I brought. I had already pulled out all of the pictures of FIL and put them in a small album. They both mentioned how nice that was.

MIL then asks for me to come out with her. We take a short walk together. This part hurt, but MIL started talking about W’s and my divorce. She mentioned that she would like to keep an R between us. She talked about their neighbors who D’d, and how that hurt her. She mentioned how much W’s and my D hurt, and how “both these things are hard.” I really just kept my mouth shut with the exceptions of “I know” “ I understand”

As we were walking back, the subject turns back to FIL. She opened up to me quite a bit, told me how she found him, how she wish she could have done certain things differently. She started breaking down and we hugged again. I also cried. This part was really tough. Really cannot believe he is gone.

We got back to the house and went back inside. I know it was hitting its ending at this point, but W was actually the first to initiate a “goodbye” but then quickly stopped herself and asked if I wanted to stay and eat anything. I declined and said I had to be going.

W, D and I walked out front and hugged again. We talked about the upcoming service, her work schedule and how we would schedule D through this. We hugged one last time and W started crying. I told her she can call me any time.

I then said bye to D and of course she starts going off “Bye, bye, bye” and waiving. It was nice for both of us to smile. Both W and D stayed out front waiving until I pulled away. It was a nice picture seeing them both out there waiving.

I am terrible writing this stuff down. But W did thank me a few times for all my help through this. Her family also acknowledged my help with the pictures and travel up there for D/W.

It was hard, but something I felt really good about. To be there and do that, put the awkwardness aside to do the right thing. It felt good.

But like I said, glad to have it behind me!