My mom's been through a lot -- a cancer scare, her sister dying, and now her dad, all in the last month -- which doesn't make this sort of thing any better, but does make it (and worse) expected and makes me feel even more than usual like I have to just grit my teeth and bite my tongue (if it's even possible for me to feel more like that than usual).

Sigh. Until last weekend, my plan had been to come see you lot today. That'd have been a bit more fun, I think :)

Thank you for your kind words. It helps a lot to be reminded, when I'm immersed in this stuff, that not all my life requires me to put up with being treated in such ways.