Cutting the string ...

I guess my "Come to Jesus" meeting really worked on #2 Daughter. I called the school on the 28th to see if she'd done what she needed to do. I asked for some "good news." Nancy, the secretary, told me that I'd be *very* happy with the news she was about to share: not only had #2 Daughter completed all of her detention and paid her fines, she'd even completed the past due assignments that she wasn't going to get credit for anyway. I was already sitting, because I was preparing for the possibility of getting bad news, but now I was about to start crying. She did it. Every single thing she needed to do - she got it done in the last month. She came in before school and stayed after every day. I felt proud. Nancy told me that #2 Daughter won't admit it, at least not now, but I have an effect on her and it's good.

I called on my sister to gather her brood and attend graduation ceremonies to impart our love to #2 Daughter. I figured that even though she gives all appearances of utter contempt toward me, I want her to know that I was there. I think that, years from now, she'll remember that I was there and that I've loved her every single day. I think that's important for her to know. How many people are going to love her her entire life? I don't think that at 18 she realizes just how few that number will be.

So, we attended graduation ceremonies and The Hubby was really crabby. I even told him that I was having a very hard time liking him right then. I hadn't been able to ride in over a week, so it's not like I'd been able to go do fun stuff that I really like. I know he didn't want to be there and doesn't feel the need to support her. That was part of what made me angry and really sad. Down the other side of the gymnasium, the Sperm Donor (ex-husband; biological father - you get the idea) sat with his parents. Sperm Donor doesn't look all that great after all these years. Too bad, so sad. {There's all this sudden venom spewing from me, sorry folks! Comes from too many years of being with him and fighting to get away with my kids.}

The ceremony was a bit corny and I think that the kids really enjoyed certain parts. Once completed I watched as #2 Daughter practically ran for the door instead of joining in the recessional. My sister asked permission to try to find her. I told her to go for it because #2 Daughter isn't going to be sticking around to talk to me, that's for sure! Well, after wondering around our very small high school for about 35 minutes, down the sidewalk comes my sister with #2 Daughter in tow. How about that! I almost started crying again -- she has no idea how much I love her. So, I took several pictures of #2 Daughter with my sister and her brood. I asked for a picture of her with her cap and gown on. After a fuss, she agreed and I even took a picture of her diploma. YES - she got it and I have proof. I was again feeling very proud. I asked to have a picture with her and my sister begged her to do it "for her." I got pissed and said that the picture was for *me* and, well, that didn't go over well even though it was the truth. After that things just didn't go well because #2 Daughter put on the I have a disgusting, evil mother bit for everyone. I decided it was better for me to leave too and so I did.

My sister and brood came back to our house and we did a mini tour of the chaos that is our house in construction mode. It was funny and embarrassing. After about an hour, everyone headed out and it was quiet again. You know what, I ended the day smiling and laughing even though it seemed like the day after my birthday it would be a rotten day.

Now, officially, I'm a year older - and more years than most people think, which I think is funny and quite enjoyable. I'm getting going in my PT, working hard to make my quota at work, rediscovering my husband and his new outlook on life and marriage, and wondering how my riding is going to shake out. Oh, I'm also getting many doses of laughs from my Twitter pals. You have to take your laughs where you can get them!!

See everyone in about a week or so.