Survival

I survived my first day back at work!  I had so many sweet text messages, Facebook messages, and emails throughout the day.  Not to mention coffee and chocolates left on my desk, and some amazing gummy orcas or sharks (I can't remember for sure which...but I do know they're delicious) all the way from Spain!  It continues to humble me to have so much love and support surrounding us.  Tim has said it before, and I will repeat it again...it's impossible for us to fall with so many people holding us up.

It was hard to leave the house this morning, and to head straight to school and not to Carrie's with Henry in tow.  I shed a few tears on the way to school, and held some back as I was on duty this morning.  But then the kids smiled as they came in, and so many of them were excited to see me.  That continued throughout the day, smiles from students and staff.  I had a full schedule of classes, and I had more patience than I expected.  (To be fair, the kids may have been in a state of post-break exhaustion...but I'll take it!)  There were times through the day that I panicked a little...thinking of doing this day after day after day, without Henry.  But then I look up from my desk and see the pictures of him smiling at me and I know that he's here with me.  He's not here physically like I want him to be, but he's here in my heart always and forever.  It was hard again to drive straight home...I missed my afternoon visit with Carrie as I pick Henry up.  But then I get home and have two very excited puppies greeting me at the door.

For now, it's definitely survival mode.  And with that, today was a success.  Every day has its ups and downs and today was no exception.  For those who are sending thoughts and/or prayers our way, please keep those coming.  I made it through day one, but there are so many more to come.  And to everyone who reached out to me today or thought about me today...thank you thank you thank you.