A Whispered Update

tracksYesterday marked three weeks since the Wednesday morning meeting with Mark.

During the last three weeks, the kids have received one email, and several (not daily) phone calls from Mark.  The calls have varied from short and terse, to lengthy and pleasant.  Mark has not pressured them to see him.  They have not asked to see him.

They have returned his calls when he has asked them to do so in a message.

They have not called of their own accord.

The mood in our house, is light and without pressure.

The kids act like bouncy, busy, can’t-wait-for-the-first-snow, typical kids.

This Friday will be their first visit.  Friday is an annual event that Mark had taken the kids to, in the past.  He casually mentioned that the event was coming up, and wondered if they might want to attend with him.

The three of us discussed the possibility of the kids attending the event with Mark.  I heard things like, “He’s not using the voice as much.”  “He talks my ear off, but at least he’s not being mopey.”  “Do I have to go to his house?”  “It does sound like he’s trying to ask us about what we’re doing.”

They agreed (not without a little encouragement from me)* that it would be a good time to test the waters.  They will attend the event with their dad.

__________

The other day, I got the paints out.  Jenny said, “Mom, what should I paint?”  I said, “You come up with something, Honey.  What do you feel like?”

She painted a series of pictures for her dad. His birthday is coming up.

One of the paintings was of flowers and bold lettering that seemed to yell, “Dad Rocks.”

I didn’t ask any questions.

I told her how gorgeous the paintings were, and we put them in a nice folder for wrapping.

 

 

p.s.  Dear Universe, thank you.  Things seem to be going well.  I hope I didn’t just jinx it all by posting this.

 

 

*Yes, I gently encouraged Jen and Will to attend the event with their father.  If we are all going to make this work, we all have to try.  Mark seems to be trying.  Jen and Will need to try, too.

I believe in giving people chances.

Even narcissists.

 

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4 comments

  1. I’ve been wondering. Bet you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop – or the first shoe, as the case may be. Take the good stuff while you can . . . but be careful. (Who am I to tell YOU that?)

  2. Pat,

    Yep. This time it feels different.

    Have I said that before?

  3. HOPE (there is that word again) it keeps working…

  4. Dee,

    Fingers and toes are crossed.