opa & oma

We had lunch yesterday with my parents to explain the judge's decision as well as any potential option from this point forward. We had to do it in person so as to keep everyone focused and not hone in on one point and not understand everything else.

While our family and friends have and continue to support us, telling and updating my parents has always been the most difficult for me. Yesterday was the worst. While I know they've been praying and hoping for the best, I did not realize how much this has consumed both of them--day and night. Like Craig and I, they have been agonizing and discussing this all hours of the day, searching for options and thinking of ideas how to communicate with Katherine.

The hardest for them is simply to understand how Katherine could do this to Liam. Opa & Oma (my parents as Liam calls them) had a wonderful relationship with Liam--he made my 86 year old father crawl on the floor to play with him; filling my father with youth and laughter. Liam was so gentle with Oma, his grandmother, and she showered him with such love and pride it often made me teary-eyed.

They regarded and embraced Katherine and Ana as daughter-in-laws, and more importantly, as the mothers of their last grandchild--the only grandchild where they literally lived an hour away so they would be able to watch him grow on a more consistent basis. They loved Liam's visits; going to IHOP, shopping, or simply playing in their home (Opa always chasing after Liam and ensuring Liam didn't lose or hide the keys to his desk drawer; or playing with all of the bells.)

Katherine joined my family and parents in their 60th wedding anniversary dinner--and gave a photo of her and Liam to them. They still cherish that beautiful photo and said they can't put it away. My father said he feels so hopeless and upset that there is nothing he can do. But the worst part was when he said he only hopes he can see and hug Liam again before he dies. He is 86 and fearful of never seeing or hearing his grandson laugh again.


(at Liam's christening)


(the tri-cycle oma & opa gave Liam for his 2nd birthday)