Tuesday, January 1, 2008

at least the snow is fresh

View of my street this morning.

Well. 2008.

New Year's Eve didn't start out that well. I got some upsetting news about my family in the afternoon. I can't say a lot at this point for legal reasons, but my brother and his ex wife have been having custody issues with their girls. Things escalated over the weekend, and she ended up taking the girls back to her house 45 minutes away from his, yanking them out of their school mid-year so they can attend near her, and limiting his visitation to every other weekend. Unfortunately, she has the legal right to do all of this, but we thought she wouldn't be so disruptive to the girls' routine.

Obviously, we are all very, very upset. The girls had been basically living at my brother's house all week and seeing their mom on the weekends, so this is a huge lifestyle change for them. New house, new school, new friends, their toys and clothes left at their dad's house. My heart breaks for them - their living situation at their mom's is not healthy for them. All part of that really long story.

After hearing about all that had gone down, I just sat on the couch and cried and cried and cried. I haven't cried that hard for a loooong time, the kind where you think your heart may explode. I was so angry and hurt and wanted to DO something, but of course there's nothing anyone can legally do at this point. There is a fight ahead, but that's all I can say right now. I keep thinking back to our time at Christmas and the photos I took, and I wish I would have hugged them even more than I did.

I spent the evening at Donna's with Jim. The three of us had some drinks, some snacks, toasted the new year with champagne, and watched a movie. Very low-key and relaxing. When Jim and I left around 2:30 a.m. for the drive home in his car, it was snowing and had been for quite awhile. Everything was coated with that wonderful snow that sticks to tree branches and buildings. We felt like we were driving through another world.

I went out in my yard this morning and took some photos.





Today I'll focus on getting my head together, organizing things for work this week, and spending my last day of vacation reading and dozing on the couch. I wish I could say I was excited and hopeful about the new year, but at this point it feels like you drag crap from the old year into the new one and keep battling away. The year on the calendar changes, but you never really get a fresh start.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

every morning is a fresh start darling. every day, every word, every decision are each like those snowflakes - an opportunity to make a small difference, until they collectively add up, often to something beautiful.

Genevieve said...

I was just thinking of you when i saw that you left a comment on my blog. Happy new year! I can't believe it's still New Year's day there! I'm happy that it's summer in Australia but oh, what i wouldn't give for some snow in winter (I love that photo of snow on the bench. Just beautiful.). Jonathan and i are trying to save up to go to America in winter so i can experience a white Christmas. I really hope it happens.

I'm sorry to hear about the heartache your family is going through. You are in my thoughts and i will pray that everything works out.

Genevieve said...

The photo you liked is one of my favourties too! I was saying my vows, which i wrote myself...and which Jonathan hadn't heard till then. Ah, it was beautiful.
Thanks for being so happy for me, Lisa. You're lovely.

Jewelsy said...

Babydoll...I knew something was wrong just by your email. Thank you for sharing this with me...my heart hurts for YOU and your family. It's a struggle, for sure, but remember you have the strength of your family to be able to support and love those girls. I wish I could make you feel better, but sometimes, just plain ol' crying is good for your soul.

Jewelsy said...

Babydoll...I knew something was wrong just by your email. Thank you for sharing this with me...my heart hurts for YOU and your family. It's a struggle, for sure, but remember you have the strength of your family to be able to support and love those girls. I wish I could make you feel better, but sometimes, just plain ol' crying is good for your soul.

Genie said...

Hey stranger. I'm so sorry to hear that your new year is starting out this bad... the poor kids. I really am sorry.

I've been in a funk and have fallen a good three months behind on just about everything in my life so apologies for not stopping by. This is my first visit in forever and your pix look as striking as ever. I'll peruse more soon, it's way past bedtime right now. Good luck with the family situation, I hope there is some quick and fair resolution. Namaste!

Anonymous said...

Oh my f'ing gawd...this is the most adorable shot EVER!