A couple weeks ago I posted about what a tough time this is for us. Update.

[nolabear]

Everyone was so supportive and it really did me good. COVID World is still utter madness but we adapt, and go on.

My stepmother died, and it was very hard not to be able to go or be with family. But we made it. Sadly the relationship with family went South recently when some began attacking my daughter in law and then me for our views on race. So there we are. We have to figure it out.

My kids’ adoption fell through at the last minute, which broke hearts. But then, amazingly, they were matched with another birth mother and our beautiful grandson Riley was born on Tuesday. We’re not quite out of the legal woods yet and they had to fly out and will fly home soon, but we’re optimistic. I couldn’t be more proud or impressed with their resilience! But we can’t hold the baby until—we don’t know.

I’m teaching writing classes on Zoom. It’s better than I expected but is exhausting! I’m deeply irritated about people thinking elders can’t handle technology. The ones I know and work with are beasts!

And guys—I truly believe that in a little more than three weeks we’ll end this horror show and let the world know we are still America. Bloody but not bowed.

Thanks again everybody. As always, y’all keep me semi-sane! ❤️

On edit: I also mentioned my autistic nephew had COVID. He had a hell of a time, twenty days of fever, sometimes as high as 104. But he’s well, and miraculously his father is testing negative! WooHoo!

[MLAA]

1. 💕💕💕💕💕💕

[Ohiogal]

2. Good luck to you and your loved ones!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear nolabear.........

Thanks for the update--please continue to take good care of yourself.

[Nevilledog]

4. ...

[ihas2stinkyfeet]

5. take a page from a frustrated friend of mine-

she couldnt stand it any more, so she wrapped her granddaughters in a shower curtain to hug and tickle them.
mask up, put that baby in a pillow case, and welcome him to the family properly.

[iluvtennis]

23. I like that idea. nt

[bottomofthehill]

6. A lot of emotional swing

But when things work out, how sweet it will be.

Best wishes to you and your hopefully soon growing family.

[redstatebluegirl]

7. You have family here! A lot of us come here for comfort when our families are insane.

I am down to my sister and her daughter, the rest of the family are crazy. We were raised Democrats, but this generation has gone to the dogs.

[Atticus]

8. I have always found you TOTALLY sane. Stressed, yes, but same. Keep on keepin' on. nt

[lucca18]

9. Thank you for the update!

Your beautiful grandson. How wonderful!

[Squinch]

10. CONGRATULATIONS on your new grandson! My sister had the same situation with her

adoption: one that was all but final fell through, but then her daughter came very soon after. We always say that it was because my niece was the one who belonged in our family. Probably it is the same about your Riley.

I agree with you. We are three weeks to beginning to turn this ship off the rocks and back to smooth sailing.

[nolabear]

13. My d-i-l says that too. It was meant to be.

Btw they named Riley after BB King. Do my kids rock or WHAT? 😍

[Solly Mack]

11. Lots of hugs!!

x 100

[bluestarone]

12. Hoping things get better for you!

[nolabear]

14. They are! This is better. And I'm taking heart.

We can survive great stress. We got this!

[rurallib]

15. Seems like things are on the upswing all over

My mom always used to tell me where there is life there is hope.

Maybe it is some kind of Karma. Whatever, it is certainly good to hear.

[kairos12]

16. Wonderful news about your

new grandson! Peace and strength to you and family.

[Karadeniz]

17. Jeez, you all have been through the wringer! You're an inspiration in coping... Unbelievable!!!

[a kennedy]

18. Happy things are getting a little better for you.

And, we ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

[cilla4progress]

19. Thank you for the update!

Your family is an inspiration!!

[mahina]

20. Thank you for the update. Three cheers!

[Olafjoy]

21. Just hang the hell in there!!!!❤️❤️❤️

We are with you We are all in this together.

[marble falls]

22. DU! Can you dig it? I knew you would!

[JohnnyLib2]

24. Very best wishes to you in all the struggles.

"Overcoming" is now your middle name!

[lillypaddle]

25. and out on top you came!

and your loving family as well. So happy and pleased that things have turned around. Best wishes moving forward.

[cate94]

26. I'm sorry about your stepmom

And the family issues.

Congratulations on that new grandson! How wonderful! Maybe this will be a turning point and the rest of the year will be great. One can hope.

[panader0]

27. All the best to you nola. You're hanging tough!

And so right about the the coming end of the horror show. There will still be many bumps in the road,
but with Biden in the WH, we'll see the sun again.

[Moostache]

28. Great to hear good news of any kind these days...

Hope things not only stay well for you, but that we all see a new beginning and a brighter day VERY soon!!!

[gademocrat7]

29. Sending supportive hugs to you and your family.

Take care.

[malaise]

30. You keep us sane as well

[pnwmom]

31. Wow. What a roller coaster you have been on.

Please let us know when they bring Riley home. He'll be a bright light in your family even if you can't see him for a while. (Thank goodness for FaceTime and its equivalents.)

[Evolve Dammit]

32. Wow. That is an incredible amount to go through. DU keeps me sane too! Hope you all continue toB OK.

[al bupp]

33. I suppose both condolences and congrats are appropriate at the same time

Kind of par for the course, times being what they are. Nevertheless, the best to you and your family. Thanks for your hard work w/ our elders.

[Fla Dem]

34. We never know the trials and tribulations of others unless they feel the need to share.

Thank you for sharing.

So sorry about the passing of your stepmother. I'm sure it was heartbreaking not to be with family during such a sad time. But who knows, maybe she put in a good word for your "kid's" adoption efforts and thus Riley will hopefully enter your lives.

Rejoice in your good news; Riley, your nephew and the good work you're doing with your writing classes. Somehow the Universe finds a way to balance things out and often tips it to the good. That's why I too have good feeling we'll see a new dawn after November 3rd.

[Brainstormy]

35. I get crazy, too

with the automatic assumption that we Boomers can't handle technology. In my family, I'm the one everyone comes to for help. And I'm 73.

[DFW]

39. Me, too, but for the opposite reason

"The automatic assumption that we Boomers can't handle technology" is, in my case, if anything, understated.

[nolabear]

42. Mr Bear was in computer science at Duke and is responsible for a lot of that tech!

He started a computer (as opposed to user) software company which was bought by a company which was...etc. He’s still with the company, quite a large one now, that creates niche programs for chips used in everything on earth.

We’re early adopters, might well have too much tech around the house (I feel like Jane Jetson sometimes) and younger people who condescend to those who invented the things they’re smug about can kiss my whole ass. 🤣

[niyad]

36. (((((((((Nola))))))))) sending vibes for healing and strength and good outcomes for you and your

loved ones. May you all be safe and well.

[tishaLA]

37. Good to hear, Nola

And FWIW teaching writing classes on Zoom is very frustrating for mon-elders, too.

[nolabear]

43. Right? Although I'm a talker and over prepare

so it generally goes fine. Doesn’t hurt to be a bit of a ham and have experience both teaching and running board meetings. I ain’t shy. 😄

[Aristus]

38. Your views on race? I don't understand.

They said: "It's a shame you're not racist the way we are"?

That's something people do?

Well, to Hell with them...

I'm not sure how I'm able to help keep you sane when I can barely do it for myself, but I'll keep on keeping on...

[nolabear]

44. No, they mostly condescend.

Lots of cops in the mix. “If you knew what we know...” followed by things they think are facts but are opinions. And nowadays, I guess having no other recourse, some sarcasm and deflecting. I gave up. I’m okay with differences but not assholery.

[peggysue2]

40. Wow, nolabear

You've really been through it. I empathize about not being able to hold that new grand baby. We're in the same spot, even when our grand daughter gets home because of Covid and the distance involved. And, of course, losing family members is always tough, complicated and made all the more grim when family members can't grieve together and support one another. It really does suck!

Best to you and the family. We all will get through this. Counting on a new chapter opening in about 3 weeks.

[nolabear]

45. Best to you too! It's so good to know we're hanging in

[Hekate]

41. Nolabear, thanks so much for the update. May all continue to improve, & bless that baby...

Babies are a spark of life and hope.

[nolabear]

46. Aren't they though? And he's ADORABLE.