It’s still so difficult to write the blog. I think, maybe, it’s the connection to everything that’s happening – the way life is moving on, and my mom isn’t here to experience it. She loved Steven, Sammy and Amaya so much and it hurts that I can’t share their lives with her. So, for anyone else who reads this, please bear with me. For now, but not forever, there’s no separating my grief from the blog.

I need to back up because I was away last week and missed out on actual Halloween. The weather ended up being our friend. Rain stopped and the weather was warm for October 31st in Michigan. As we’ve done for the past few years, we took our kids to the downtown Northville neighborhoods that go all out for Halloween. Thousands of people, over the top themed houses – Halloween perfection.

Amaya crutched her way through the streets for an hour like a champ and did, in fact, get some extra candy out of it. So many people said, “What a trooper.” 🙂

So many families

On Tuesday morning, early, I flew down to Key Largo for an amazing 6 days/five nights of self care. What I said on Facebook which sums it up: I’m on a self care journey and that included a solo vacation. Last week I spent 5 nights in Key Largo in a perfect secluded spot where I sat and sat and sat and sometimes jet skied. I didn’t look at work emails even once. And, then, after I had days of talking to no one but the beach bartender, the room service guy and the jet ski guy, my wonderful friend Hannah joined me for the weekend – and was so understanding about my need for time to myself. The trip was an amazing and needed reset. My mom would love that I did this for myself.

Here are some photos of the view from my room, the pool, the beach…

I spent hours and hours and hours with this view from under a tiki umbrella

Hannah got this shot of me coming back from a jet ski ride

Hannah <3

The kids lives continued on while I was away…

On Friday, 11/4, the kids went to an event at the New Hope Grief Center – the same place that runs my grief workshop. It was for elementary age kids who’ve experienced a launch. They were all interested in checking it out. A highlight was meeting the Northville mayor.

Photos from dinner out with Jason on Sunday night

There was no school on Tuesday because of election day so, while the boys had a friend over, Amaya and Sophia had quality time.

In the afternoon they went to another event sponsored by the New Hope Grief Center – this one at Stemville.

It was such a nice day that, afterwards, they went to a playground. (The nice weather is g-o-n-e.)

Amaya had a terrible cough this week and stayed home from school on Wednesday and Thursday which meant she got even more cuddle time with Sophia.

Steven hasn’t had a haircut in ages and it was long overdue so I took him to Marni, my curly haircut lady. She loved Steven’s curls and listened to what he wanted which was mostly to cut his bangs so he can see and trim the rest.

On Thursday, Steven made it over the 2nd wall at Ninja. First Cline kid to do it!

Our weekend fun was a visit from Ames! She arrived on Thursday night and stayed until Sunday morning. During her visit she made fast friends with SSA (it’s been a while since Ames has seen them), we saw a live show of a podcast Ames loves in Detroit, I got a consult for a new tattoo and we went out to eat with the kids.

Amaya made tea for Ames in the morning

Ames played at least 4 million games of air hockey, including some with three pucks

Steven cuddles with Daddy

Out for dinner with Ames. We all agree Amaya looks like Charlie here.

Finally, a sleeping sick Steven.

And, look! I did it! Have a great week.