Boy, I couldn't have said it better than Moi. It's so strange that 1998 brought so many of us together. You haven't changed a bit except for the growth that we've all gone through and yes, your convictions have remained the same and the love for your family. If your son can't make amends now, it's his loss.

Dear Addy...
Already so many wise words have been said.

I know that you will know the right thing as your heart tells you at the time.

I pray that maturity will help your son see things differently and that this baby will teach him the bond of parent and child from a new perspective. (Congratulations to you as an almost-grandma!)

If not tomorrow...then some day...I really believe it will happen.

((((((((Addy)))))))))

Please give my greetings and congrats to Sparkle!

((Addy))

Stay strong, dear friend.

((Addy))

My Olhipie and I refer to our X's as priors. I guess it comes from all the years we volunteered at the state prison....

Hope all goes well and you will keep us updated on everhthing...

Your outpouring has helped more than you'll ever know! thank you ALL for such wonderful reminders and words of support... God, I am so darn blessed.

oh my gosh... I love u all so much....

thank you for rallying around me.

I saw Derek last night - at a restaurant with the rest of my "prior" family (gosh, GREAT word choice Tam!!!) ... Derek was very uncomfortable and I am very sad - I sat across from him and his g-friend (the mother of my soon to be born new grandchild) - who was meeting ALL of us for the first time so that tells you a bit about Derek - not even his Dad or brothers had met her yet.

Derek is a different boy/man than who I had raised. I cannot change that. And... the apple does not fall far from the tree - he is very much like my "prior husbands" brother - bitter and angry - and rough around the edges - a redneck of sorts.

My 2nd son, Joel - he's 26 - sat beside me with his lovely girlfriend - he embraced me and said "baby steps, mom... baby steps"... then followed me to the car later to say so many more words of encouragement and love.

I was able to talk to Derek's g-friend - my first impressions of her are very positve and I pray that he is good to her. I hope to find an opportunity to reach out to her some more tonight at the wedding reception- if only to tell her that I love Derek and want to be included in their child's life.

It's been very difficult not to cry when caring friends and family have reached out - they and YOU really do help me gather my strength. I do not want this to cause me to go backwards in my growth... I have a choice... just as Derek does.

I produced a photo/music montage DVD for my nephew's wedding which will be shown tonight. I have so many things to be happy about and I am going to strive to remember that this day is about Jahyd and Jason...

I am going to enjoy myself even tho its over 100 degrees F. right now....

I love you guys!

thank you so much!
I'll let you know how tonight goes when I can.

Ever the wise and loving mother you are Addy. ..don't doubt yourself. So happy about that soon to be grandbaby...maybe that will help him get his priorities in order....FAMILY first. Big hugs...have fun..sing and dance your socks off!!

I am extremely happy!... and doing the happy dance!

A long story short - I was able to connect with Derek - to hold him and to tell him I loved him (and he said "me, too!"... absolute music to my ears!)


thank you for your prayers!

Addy

OMG Addy!!!! That is SO exciting to hear! I'm so so happy for you! Yay!!!!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so glad, Addy. I can't tell you how much I have been thinking about you this weekend. Hoping, praying, crossing every joint I have ( including a few which protested heartily such unwaranted crossing).
I am so happy about all this.
Good boy, Derek...and maybe Derek's girlfriend. A well dropped word by a girlfriend can do wonders.
And about that long story short thing....like to hear the long story long should you get the time...

(by the way...MSN Messenger will NOT work for me...you got Yahoo?)