Going back "home" for the 4th of July was harder than I thought it would be, I figured it wouldn't be a problem at all. Tell that to Jeff, who listened to me sob for a good 45 min on the way down the highway.

I feel different, in that I just can't put up that front/face that I want people to see any more. I am the same person, just sad, and I can't be all peppy for everyone all the time now. That doesn't mean I'm not happy - everyone knows I'm BLESSED. But I am grieving still, and it shows on my face every once in a while.

Iris (my therapist) said that I should set aside a specific time to think about you, to let the feelings come. She said I shouldn't let them just come and go all day, that isn't productive grieving. She wants me to write down everything I can remember - the good and the bad - on seperate pages, of course.

I knew I had problems before your death, but I thought I could handle them now, but since then, it's obvious I can't handle them and that it really weird. I hate grieving. I hate death, and I hope no one else that I love dies before me. And I feel sorry for those that love me, after I die. I guess not all death is the same - yours is definitely one of a kind. So I guess I shouldn't worry about future deaths so much, because they won't be like yours (hopefully).

Iris told me that something from your childhood/early adulthood troubled you and I believe it. She wants me to figure it out. I'd love to figure it out. Will it relieve this sadness? Why should I put the effort into it? Would it do you justice? Would it bring me peace? I dunno.

I visited your grave on July 4th. Took me only a minute to find it. The headstone still isn't correct, but I'm sure granny is working on it. I still can't stand to walk on a grave, so instead of laying on top of you, I laid next to you - and only because I knew that ground was empty. If someone was on that side of you, I would've chose the other. I took in your view. You see a lot of clouds lol. It was pretty nice actually, but not something I'd care to do permanently.

I wish I could remember what we said to each other on my wedding day. I'm assuming it went something like this..."You look beautiful Sis", "Thank you, you look good.", "Thanks", **insert uncomfortable hug**"Ok I've gotta be going", "You can't stay?", "Nah, Granny's waiting for me in the car.", "OK, I love you.", "Love you too Sis, Bye.", "Bye Dad."

When did I see you before that?? God I can't remember. Was it the time when you took Robbie and I to Myrtle Beach and then left us there in the middle of the night? You came knocking on my door after we arrived home, having been "saved" by mom, to give me my CD I left in the car you ran off with. I was so angry. You said you are sorry and I just nodded and closed the door in your face.