Sorry it took so long for me to write 'ya, Leesie. It's just that you always believed in my writing and now when I need to string the words along more than ever before--they just evade me. I apologize, Lisa but this just isn't an essay or a letter and for once (I know you're laughing:-),I really don't know what to say. So-here it is-just like the way I've been saying it to you over the past few days. The sadness I feel for your mother and brother is beyond what I am used to. I haven't been able to verbalize it because I don't think that words can do that adequately. As for the kids--well, I experienced something that we had just talked about. I didn't have to cajole, coax or nag them or set an alarm clock for any of the events we attended for you. For the first time ever, they just all took it upon themselves to choose their priorities. All the work and Christmas fanfare that I had put myself through could never have brought us closer than this sad situation and for this I am eternally thankful. Thanks, Lees. I have prayed alot about this because my dad's in Colorado and I don't know what else to do. The best answer to the 'why' that has come to me is pretty logical, I suppose. I had spoken to you about the thousands of children who just get killed because of war and all sorts of things all over this world. I really think I know and understand that God needed you in heaven right now to greet and take care of these children. He needed you even more now than we needed you on earth. I mean, really Lees!, who else would he give the position to?? I always feel so much horror everytime I hear on the news that a child is taken tragically and meaninglessly. For the rest of my life I will feel so much comfort knowing and believing that you are the gal in charge of that in heaven. You were too good with children, too good at what you did. It was inevitable that God would promote you. We understand it, but I'm still very sad. I didn't have time to write about all the side splitting laughs and private jokes that we share, so in closing I know that you would want to know that everytime I see a penguin under the lamp post at midnight--I'll think of you, my beautiful friend. I love you, Lisa