Thanks for the kind comments everyone, and those who sent PM's, too. Can't answer them all or I'd fall apart.
BarkerChickens, I'm not sure where Kerry's daddy is now but a mean part of me hopes she's with her Grandpa & Papaw and not her daddy. He filed for divorce in 1999 a week after my dad was diagnosed with cancer. And he spent the past 10 years buying the kids affection with electronics while telling them how mean and awful I am. He killed himself to avoid 12 years in prison. I know Kerry loved him, and I never said an ugly word about him to my kids, but she saw what a bottom-dweller he could be. And I can't help but think that if he'd faced the consequences of his poor decision-making then maybe she'd still be here today.
Please keep my Cassie in your prayers. My poor baby is really having a hard time. The folks at school take good care of her, but she just has sooooo much hurt inside of her! And she was trying to hide it to keep from upsetting me. We had a long talk last night and she has counseling today. But this is more than any child should have to bear. It's almost more than I can bear, missing Kerry and wanting her back. And Cassie is missing her dad as well as her sister.
I can see why people turn to drugs and alcohol to escape their grief. Trying to cope while leading a 'normal' life is HARD.
Been doing a lot of praying and trying to find normal...