Joy and Hardship

I have not said anything in a long time because, well, there was just not much to say. Things have changed a little in the meantime. Shortly after Christmas I received a Christmas card from my daughter. Surprise is the understatement of the year! I had sent her a birthday card a couple of months earlier, but never expected to hear anything else. She had my granddaughter draw a few little hearts on the card because she also wanted to wish me a Merry Christmas. It melted my heart and at this point, my tears were in free flow. My daughter wanted me to give her my email address to that she could mail me some pictures of my grandchildren. I responded, got pictures and to make a long story short, we talked on the phone last night for a long time and for the first time in almost 5 years. We made plans to have lunch soon. I could not be more excited. Now to the sad part. My son-in-law is gravely ill. He had been treated for colorectal cancer and has lost so much weight that he has to be on introvenous feed for the time being. His bowels are non-functioning. The only thing helping with the painful cramps is liquid morphine. My daughter quit her job and is taking care of her two little ones and her husband. They are living with my exhusband, which brings a lot of problems with it, of course. My ex is supporting an extra four people under his roof. He is a saint, because I don't think I could do it. My daughter says she is totally stressed out and does not have 5 minutes to herself in a normal day. She is on Suboxone under a doctor's supervision. She calls it a miracle drug. I read many pros and cons about it, I am not really sure what to think of it. It works for her, so therefore it works for me too for the time being. I am scared and excited at the same time. The memories of my girl of the last ten years include nothing but addiction and its vast impact on everyone and every thing. I am ready to meet my grandchildren and to make new memories with my beloved girl. Wish me luck, I will need it.