April 22nd, 2009

I can’t believe how many people have responded to the Dodge City stay giveaway. Dodge City is a great place and I think the winner will enjoy the rich history the town has to offer. A winner will be selected on April 30 so if you haven’t already entered you still have some time. I’m encouraged by the response and hopeful the book launch will be a success. I don’t feel as positive about the outcome with my neice, Nickol. A few months ago I sent her a card. After not hearing anything, I sent another. Finally, I heard back from her. She’s very angry and feels slighted my her father’s family. She’s feels as though she was tossed aside and forgotten about. I would have like to have had a chance to meet with her in person and share with her what has happened since my sweet brother went to prison. Maybe she doesn’t know the FBI came to my parent’s home and told us to stay away from her. Maybe she doesn’t know how devestating it was to be told by the Federal agents during the sentencing that my parents and younger brother that we were not to even look at her. Maybe she doesn’t know how we have suffered because that day in court we lost a son, a brother, a friend, and a neice that I particularly adored. My emails to her go unanswered. The pain continues and I was so hoping for just a little break in the constant storm of grief. Someday, maybe, things can be different. In the meantime, I write.