((((((((Dara)))))))

Talk about freaky, I tried to search for you last week to see if you’d been on. Had those fuzzy slippers on the brain, I guess.

The girls and I are all doing great for the most part.

My 13yo, is growing in all the wrong places. Along with expanding outward her attitude crossed over to that dreaded “know-it-all-teenager”. She struggles at her mom and is rarely ungrounded but has only aimed it at me a couple times. She’s getting along all right in school but with some events of the last year, I can see her moving with me permanently before next school year.

My 10yo, though not growing in odd places is killing me with her beauty. She’s at the “BOYS are my life” stage and I already pulled my hair out because of her older sister. She’s the most adjusted and is truly the light in my eyes. She had her 1st gymnastics competition this last weekend and took 1st. The funniest thing was she was the tallest one out there and then when they put all of them on the platform, she looked like Shaq standing by Mini Me…..

My 7yo, will be 8 next Monday, man do the years fly by. She is shooting up like a weed. Doing awesome in school and lets her daddy read to her every night she’s with me.

IG – Is the same. She’s made an art of trash talking, lying, and deceiving. She always has to have some drama and if things are going good then she creates chaos.

Myself, I’m doing great. I’ve started a youth group in my church. I’m going to Lay Ministry school later this year to be a substitute preacher. Just got done coaching basketball. And stay involved with the girls and all their activities. I’m not seeing nor am I seeking to see anyone. I’ve been out a couple times (Got picked up by an 18yo who thought I was 23), but really I’m just happy being with me.

Thank you so much for checking in and I’d love to hear how y’all are doing….

Hugs, Thoughts, & Prayers

So very happy to hear from you my dear friend.

I want you to know you were my lifeline during my darkest hours...I still remember the first post you made to me.

Rich and I were talking, at least I was attempting to talk to him. Remember those days when we were grateful for just a conversation? ;)Anyhow, Richard told me I was just a REDUNDANT DISTRACTION to him. And ht eway he said it, the way he built up to it ("Dara let me sum up what you mean to me"), the way he looked right through my soul as he said it... It devastated me to say the least. You wrote back to me, and wrote something very sweet, very nurturing, big brother type stuff...something like a great big hug, and a kiss on the forehead letting you know there are people who care for you out here.

Oh boy, I remember the responses I got from that letter made me cry. And you and I balanced each other so well. any how I am glad to see you are doing well. It's too bad Lisa blew it. Isnt it amazing how God promises us that all will be well? Outside of church, and this site, there isnt much hope for marriages in trouble. As we share the likelyhood of divorce with friends and family there isnt much hope of recovery, you know? Nobody but God himself promises that all will be ok. Even if we end up divorced, He will care for us. That there is always hope for a better tomorrow, and joy will once again be ours. Its an amazing thing you know Bill?

I am so happy for you, you seem so content. You know, you cant love someone else unless you love yourself first. And can live alone and be happy, which is exactly what it seems you are doiong. So, I guess what I am saying is that miss right will come along one day for you Bill. You are a unique guy, and a great dad. Great things are bound to happen to you.

Keep up the great work with the kids!! You should be the poster person for recovery after divorce!

Gotta go to work, maybe if you or anyone else is interested I can give you an update soon.

Warmly,
Dara

<small>[ August 09, 2004, 09:04 PM: Message edited by: laura_lee ]</small>

&#8220;&#8221;&#8221;&#8221;&#8221;I want you to know you were my lifeline during my darkest hours...I still remember the first post you made to me.&#8221;&#8221;&#8221;&#8221;&#8221;&#8221;&#8221;

Thank you and you mine. I always thought God planted you in my life just when we needed each other. Where you were weak I was strong and where I was weak you were strong.

&#8220;&#8221;&#8221;REDUNDANT DISTRACTION&#8221;&#8221;&#8221;

I had almost forgot those words however I will never forget the pain.

&#8220;&#8221;&#8221;Its an amazing thing you know Bill?&#8221;&#8221;&#8221;

Yes it is and that&#8217;s a pretty powerful paragraph.

&#8220;&#8221;&#8221;So, I guess what I am saying is that miss right will come along one day for you Bill.&#8221;&#8221;&#8221;

But you know what Dara, I&#8217;m at the place in my life that I no longer crave Miss Right or Miss Right Now for that matter. It is so kewl, that for the first time in my life I&#8217;m not seeking that and am content with my life, my family, and my walk.

&#8220;&#8221;&#8221;Gotta go to work, maybe if you or anyone else is interested I can give you an update soon.&#8221;&#8221;&#8221;

I am very interested in how you are doing and honored that you popped in to say &#8216;HI&#8217;. I continue to put you and yours in my prayers. If you ever need a friend, you know where to find me..

Hugs, Thoughts, & Prayers (And an occasional big brother kiss on the forehead)&#8230;.