Bright, You sound much better after your time away. I'm sorry about your friend's mother and I'm sure he's having a rough time of it right now.
As for texting your h about Veteran's Day, you did what you felt was right and I'm glad he responded. As for him responding back to you after you said things were wonderful at the vacation home, well, he may have thought there was no need for an additional response. Your h reminds me of my xh when it comes to texting or w/any type of communication. You may reach out and then he asks questions and then drops off the face of the earth after I have responded to him w/the answers. Reminds me of teenagers who only want to know something and then they go off on their merry way.
Sometimes you have to open up a wee bit if you want them to continue to come out of their shells. They tend to lose that chip that keeps the conversations going. I have found that if you drop a few crumbs along the way, they will open up and chat a bit more.
Keep your expectations at zero or on the low side. He's still into himself right now and he's got a ways to go.
Sit quietly, the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect them to. The past is gone, the present is a gift and you need to focus on today, allow the future to reveal itself when it is ready.
