We drive 2006 with 210000 kilometres on it. We love it. Most trouble free vehicle we've ever owned.

Oh Rosie, I wished I lived next door so I could give you a real hug. I am so sad for you. You are in many people's thoughts today. Words are so inadequate.

Oh Rosie, I'm very sorry to hear this terrible news. (((Hugs))))

This thread brings back the anxiety and stress dance brought to this household :)....especially at this time of year. I was not in happy when dd changed sports.

I like Tim Challies take on many issues. Here is his view on the book: http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/heaven-is-for-real

Awesome news! I love your "there's always hope" line.

9 x 13 stone casserole

I agree with Audrey that maybe services are different in different parts of Canada. I live in a rural, far from urban centre but cannot complain about our services. One of my children causes me to be a frequent flier at the ER. We are always well served. And I am thankful for the coverage we have. My dad died of leukaemia many years ago. His treatment required him to be in isolation in cancer clinic for months. Again, we didn't go bankrupt over his illness. (And btw, he went from his dr's office where he thought the dr would tell him he had flu, by ambulance to hospital and next day he was admitted to cancer clinic.) There are wait times for elective surgery but emergency stuff, in my experience , has always been dealt with quickly. The system isn't perfect but it's worked well for us.

Again, thanks to everyone's kind words. EndofOrdinary, thank you so much for your words of hope. My gut tells me we will see him again. I'm not sure it's going to be soon but I will dream of the day I open the door to see my boy again. I do think he is a boy who needs his space. I took a couple days off work but know I have to unstuck myself from this funk, for the sake of the rest of my family and myself.

You know, if it wasn't happening to us I wouldn't believe the things we've experienced. I feel like a made for TV movie. I keep thinking back to all things we could have, should have, would have done differently with our poor broken boy. But we didn't know how broken he was.

Thanks for all your kindness. He has said he wants no contact. I have to believe that won't be forever. He does respond to texts from my extended family so he hasn't cut all ties. Adoption councillor told us in her experience RAD kids don't usually see the light until they're young adults. I don't know exactly where he lives but social worker in contact with him said I can send letters etc through her. We had to sign a paper. I couldn't stop crying as i recalled signing for his adoption so many years ago and such a happy occasion.

We lost in court. As of Thursday this week we are no longer legal guardians of our 16 year old ds. We are devastated. It boiled down to his wishes. We learned at his age his wishes supersede ours, even a 16 yr old with significant special needs. It made no difference that the very fact that he wanted to "divorce" us points to his Reactive Attachment Disorder. It makes no difference that my husband and I were not identified as being bad parents. I feel like I've run a marathon. Thursday my body felt like it had been physically pummelled. Today I'm just tired. The stress hasn't helped my fibromyalgia. It's painful to think about good memories. It's painful to think of the bad times. Apparently the decision is reversible but contingent on him. Of course I know we are still his parents. Actually it still feels unreal.

Bacon and tomato sandwiches.

I got one for my birthday today. Love, love, love it..(I had one of the original kindles prior to this gift.)

I have coloured my hair since I was 20. Tomorrow is my 49th birthday. I get a professional colour every 5-6 weeks. I'm not going lighter. My hair is in great shape.

Congratulations! What a beautiful baby! Blessings to you and your family.

Oh thank you for this. That is encouraging and definitely what I'm praying will happen.

Life's circumstances have subjected me to things I never would have encountered in my twenties. Now as an "over the hiller" I've experienced, and survived many scary things.

He is risen indeed!

No. That fell apart at Christmas. Right now he's in a youth foster home, trying to "divorce" us. Really. And social services is kind of supporting him. They've told us he's 16, and they work with his wishes. Even though there is nothing against us as parents (I mean they aren't doing this because they're rescuing him from an abusive home. ). This has been going on since January. We're fighting this. Next court is May 1. Last week I had a conversation with social services pleading them to use common sense, it may have helped. They are having a meeting this Friday to discuss our situation. So the good is he's not on the street (although we have no idea where because he's 16 and can decide if we should know or not). And occasionally he's visited my family in same city. Our experience has been eye opening.

Patty Joanna, I think it may be my paranoia...right away I wondered if he was high. But I don't know that. I do know he's been prescribed some meds too. I don't know what. The not knowing conjures up a vivid imagination.

I always take slipper...ballet type that are easy to stash in purse and look reasonably decent.

His voice sounds different.

Thanks. I feel very emotional right now.

Well you won't believe this. I just hung up phone after speaking for 2 minutes and 58 seconds to my son. He called and asked to speak to his brother (who isn't home). I was so stunned at the call I didn't know what to say and he didn't really want to talk to me (although secretly I'm going to believe he wanted to talk to me). I was able to tell him I love him before he cut me off. I kind of feel stunned at the moment.