Heart in Hand

   There are far less explosions now that she goes to daycare. Occasionally she still shuffles around the house muttering but it's become far less abrasive these days.  Now she mutters about things we can understand her being upset about.  Instead of "opened the shade again... Stinkers!" and "If I can't do laundry I would rather be dead" now it sounds like "He can get out of the house if he's going to divorce me."  She's so much more alive and bright and mentally aware of things now that she can socialize at the home. I think the physical therapy is doing her good too because her muscles are less clenched and stiff. It surprises me how much easier getting her in and out of my car is now than it was before daycare.  Now I just have to make sure I stay in shape to get the wheel chair in and out of that tiny hatchback!

   January 2nd Mom was served with divorce papers.  Father dearest had been talking about the idea of a divorce for a month or so before, wondering if that could help get more state aid.  Since I thought he would find that being legally single wouldn't help her much and he would just put the idea out of his head I referred him to a few family lawyers and just sat back waiting for him to forget it.  I misjudged him.  He is pursing the divorce whether she gets extra money or not. We fought over that one for a while and probably will again, considering that the first court date is in March. I'm not able to say more on his part in this, condemning or redeeming him, as everyone has different factors influencing their judgments of people and I try to avoid adding my emotional b.s. to someone else's bias.  He has promised he wants to help us and keep supporting her as much as necessary.  Personally, I like things in ink.  

   Thursday, Moma and I go up to the Lawyer's office and the papers assigning me legal guardianship of her and her affairs.  I wonder if this is what having a child is like? Hopefully, I'll learn to be more affectionate to my children. The Dr. we went to last Tuesday submitted his opinion that she was capable of making decisions for her own well being. This saves me from having to convince the court to grant my guardianship. Now mom just signs it over to me.  She has said on several occasions that she's comfortable with me making decisions for her.  I wish I were a fraction as comfortable with it.  

   Next up, I have to find a family lawyer, because the one I'm working with is an estate lawyer and evidently they can't cross jurisdictions. Drawing up the papers myself is an option but meeting with the lawyer the first time was such a load off my mind that I would much rather at least have council for the divorce. 

   Moma just walked up and handed me a little red heart ornament she made at "DCHI" for me and Shan. (What's that? I think now she's muttering about chocolate.) Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. I bought her a big glittery heart card, I should run out and get some candy too.  Not sure how to make it happy for her with all that's going on and Dad still in the house.   I, ironically, am going to the shooting range in the morning and closing at work. Maybe after work I'll make a strawberry champagne sangria...