[tbristow]

I remember worrying that I had actually lost my mind. I remember becoming so obsessed that I spent almost all my waking hours on the computer researching Russia or here on the boards. I remember the "how are you" becoming such a big deal that people didn't ask anymore. I remember curling up on the floor of my son's room with his blanket and just losing it completely (interestingly enough it was 4 days before the call came). I remember the horrible sinking feeling in my stomach as I watched St. Petersburg disappear beneath me knowing that my son was down there. I remember crying as I put his Christmas presents up in his room (we were SO sure he would be home)...and of course, we all run for the tv whenever we hear any mention of Russia on the news.

I feel for all of you, I really do. It is SO hard in all the waiting stages. Each one seems to get worse. Try to remember all the happy endings. Some take longer than others, but that brown-eyed, sandy haired little boy sleeping downstairs in his spaceship blanket sleeper with his blankie was well worth every minute of that wait.

Cyberhugs to all of you in the waiting process. We'd be right back in there with you if we could afford it....