I am a little late here and I see now that I have read through the whole thread that everything has worked out well. It looks like you are back on the right track and I wish you and your family the best for continued healing.

My brother's wife and I went many years without speaking. She chewed me out on the phone one day for something over which I had totally no control. We were never really 'best buddies' so when she hurt my feelings I just backed off and it was pretty easy to do since we live 50 miles from each other. I always felt that if I should run into her I could be cordial but the relationship really took a big hit as a result of the tongue lashing she gave me. Well, about 2 years ago she was diagnosed with cancer and last year she told my nephew that if I would write her and apologize she would also since she wanted to set things right as a result of her illness. Even though I was the one who had been hurt I wrote that letter. Shortly after that she wrote me back thanking me and the hatchet has been buried. I have since spoken to her on the phone numerous times and, although we are still not close, it is a good feeling to know that we have put that all behind us. I wish you the best, and hope that your family can recapture that closeness! Rosebel, I liked that poem too.