Dear John,
We went for a quick visit to my sister's this week. It was a perfect time to go. S goes away to school in a little over a week. We got to go to the pool in my sister's town for the last time. She used to live across the street from the pool, so we would go every summer. It was a great wave pool, but the town said that the pool, as well as the park complex, has outlived its usefulness. The last day was today (we went on Friday), and it will all be knocked down. They've already redone the park where we spent a lot of our summer visits. And as we were driving home, I was so sad that you wouldn't be here to greet us and hear all our stories.
We spent some time with your family as well. S went to visit her cousins in Chicago for a weekend last month - she took the train by herself. It was a great time. She really connects with those particular cousins. You would approve, as they're your next younger sister's kids. I got to see the older cousin when we were there this weekend. She's got about 5 different career paths going - I hope she finds one that will actually support her. But she's a good kid, and I'm sure she'll figure it out.
We saw your mom - S got her a rosary when she was in Rome. It's a Jubilee year, so IMO, all religious items are papally blessed! Your youngest sister came by while we were there, and I gave her a few remembrances of you. S doesn't approve. She's not a fan of any of your sisters except the oldest, really. But since that sister is the only one who reached out to ask, I did not see a problem with selecting some of your things. I gave her things that are wholly sentimental and totally representative of you but not monetarily valuable. She was fine with that, but didn't want your mom to even see what she had, because your mom already gave away something of hers to the sister I refuse to speak to. I'm trying not to be angry about that, since there's nothing I can do.
We also saw your brother's wife. She arranged for S to get a nice scholarship from a veteran's charity that she supports. Well, she encouraged S to apply for it, and S was one of two applicants for 3 scholarships, so... Anyway, we saw her to pick up the check. S can use it for anything, so that's nice. Your brother's wife said that he's becoming more like you every day. More anxious, less social. We talked a bit and ended up at "Man, it sure sucks when you have to admit that John was right about some things." And your youngest sister regrets that she let you push her away especially when you were clearly right about some of the issues you all argued about.
This week will be busy as S gets ready to leave for school. While I know I will be OK without her, that's probably because I know she won't ever let me actually be without her. She has already said that she will call me every day. I'm not sure if she will keep that up, though I know she will start off that way. My sister's husband will be coming to help us with the move-in. He's definitely not you, but I think S will appreciate having the extra support and help. We're going to see my other sister to visit the foster dog. She's got hang-outs scheduled for all her friends. We're having a nice dinner on Friday. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
The only thing I'm looking forward to when S leaves is that I can get the house straightened out and then not have anyone come and mess it up. I have given up for now, as she has all her things spread everywhere to get organized for school. Also, she's going through her slob phase. Hope she's gotten it out of her system so her roommate doesn't kill her.
Anyway, I've been thinking about you a lot this week. Wish you were here for this transition - you in your early form, where you would have been excited to help S arrange things and glad to send her off to her future. You were never really like that once she was born - it was all fear for her, all the time. But the man I first met would have sent her off, complained about the expense, and been excited for all the challenges she would face. I wish she had known more than a glimpse of him.
Love,
A
