I accompanied D to her consult with an oral surgeon and yes - her wisdom teeth are going to be extracted the week of July 4th. I got the time off from work so that I can be there to get her to and from the surgery - which is about 10 minutes from the house. D did not have any camp counseling activites that week anyway or the following week so that will give her plenty of time to recoup before she heads off with STBEX and S to a week long church retreat/summer camp activity.
Finalized my plans to head down to FL during the first week in August to see my parents and two of my three sisters. It's been over seven years since the kids and I have seen Mom and Dad so we're pretty excited about it. They don't get around much anymore (both being in their mid 70's) but it will be good to spend one day with them before heading to stay with one of my sisters for a couple of days.
Finally, STBEX gave me a tearful call last Sunday to let me know that her father had passed away - which we had been bracing ourselves for. I let her know that I was very sorry that he had passed on (he was a really kind man and always treated me with care and respect over the past several years) and that when she needed to travel that I could pick up the slack here. She was very appreciative of that and would keep me informed of her plans. I also shared the news to a large group of mutual friends (which she has shied away from to a large extent but they miss her and ask me occasionally about her) and provided one of her personal e-mail addresses if they wanted to contact her. As I was dropping off S at her place last night, she was on the porch chatting with one of her close friends and the friend's new love interest. She said that she was touched by the e-mail that I had sent out and the responses she has gotten.
Thinking back at the ugly tirade I got from STBEX when her mother passed away several years ago, I was hesitant to send out the e-mail. But it was the right thing to do - regardless of the reaction I received. Thinking back and looking at myself now, I have a lot more confidence in my decision making and the sense of doing what is right. I had a lot of pent-up anger back then as well - but that is gone. When it does come up, I put that big "STOP" sign in front of me and go in a much more productive and healthier path...
Me 52, STBEX 52 D 17, S 12 M 20 years Em Sep since 2002, Phys Sep Sept 2009
