Just a note to say hi...just got back from northern NY for my 48th class reunion. Got your note - no, I didn't receive a return note after my Aug 10th post. How are you doing?...We'll have to catch up after I've caught my breath from this last trip - lots to do to get caught up here!... Karen

Just a quick note to say hi! Wondered how you're doing - haven't heard from you in quite awhile. And how's your mom? I've had a pretty full summer so far - a week and a half visit with my granddaughter, then a trip with son and family up north, then back home to have a little lupus flare. It's nearly over now I think, and in 2 weeks Steve and I go north again on vacation. Let me hear from you...Karen

I know about that broken heart thing - my parents had been married 65 years, and my mother, although still sharp and healthy, just withdrew and did little but her daily walks, and listen to the bible on tape (she was losing some vision due to macular degeneration). My biggest regret is that I didn't try to get her to talk more after Daddy died. She was always the strong one who didn't show her emotions, and so she kept her grief to herself. It's been nearly 2 years and it still haunts me. I'm just really thankful that I was able to take care of them both until the end before I started having my own physical problems. I still think stress has a lot to do with bringing on auto-immune diseases! Take care of her and yourself.......Karen