It has been decided that I will take flight tonight.

Our daughter shall go with me.

There was no changing the decision about the boys. Their dad would have loved them by his side. However, it is very important to him, and allows him some peace of mind, that they are attending to their life commitments.

I have a very busy day ahead of me. The day is filled with flight arrangements and details for airport transportation. Then there is shopping for funeral attire, canceling doctor appointments, and packing. Finally it is time to gather homework for our daughter and make arrangements for our boys.

The arrangements for the boys should be very simple but turn out to be nothing but simple.

At 14 and 16 they do not need much and I even consider allowing them to take care of themselves. There are a few things that prevent me from making this decision. I have never left them home alone for an extended period of time. Additionally, we have no idea of when we will be returning. Funeral and burial details are not set at this point, and we will be 3000 miles plus a time zone away.

Additionally, although they seem to be doing fine, they are still grieving the death of  their grandfather.

I decide to call family and friends to find out what those who told me, “let me know what you need and we will be there” are really willing to do. Sadly, none of this goes as smoothly as I would have expected.

There is only one that truly disappoints me. Sadly, it cuts through me like a knife as it is the one that I would have thought I could count on the most.  Even more sad, is that this will continue to be the case even after my return.