That is wonderful news. Be cautious with your heart and my Gods blessings reunite your family.

Praise God. Please keep us posted as to how this transpired if you will. We can learn through it and be encouraged, this way.

I join the others in praising God but also want you to be careful. We reconnected with our ES when his father was diagnosed with cancer. That was 6 months ago. I am cautious, very cautious. His father passed away and not sure if he will be able to convince his wife to spend one of the Christmas days with us.

Norske, Does your son keep in touch? I pray he checks in.

Just skyped with him but when I mentioned Christmas, he got a bit nervous sounding and I sensed his wife insists they be with her family. Then he said he would send me his daughter's Christmas list and that I could give her a present but not give him and his wife a present. Something is weird don't you think? Also, she never even said HI on the Skype.

Norske, Your DIL has always sounded threatened by your son's relationship with you and your DH. I was hoping she would have made progress in that area, lately. We do not give up praying. Right? Does she have low self esteem? It seems as if your son treats her well. Many sons go through this with their wives and sometimes the DIL's parents are even controlling the situation.

I am glad that you can give your gd a gift. I would love to see it happen on Christmas eve or Christmas but possibly it will still be during the holiday week?

Nope - unless they come Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, I will not do another Christmas meal and gift opening. I will mail my gift to Micaiah if they aren't coming for either day. I have to set a precedent; otherwise I will never see him on those days. They can spend one day with her family and one day with his family. We don't live that far apart so not much driving involved.

I agree with you, Norske. I am guessing your son would love to be with you, too. Please keep us posted.

He sent me a text that said "I'm sorry Mom but I don't think I can accept a gift yet. I would like it to just be Micaiah this year please. I'm sorry for not talking to you about this at Thanksgiving." (Micaiah is his daughter).

I'm fearful that now that my husband has passed, he will not want contact, or very minimal.

I think he may be starting slowly, because his wife must be making the plans. Let's think of the progress and know that God can cause the relationship to grow. Did you let him know you would need to get together to give your gd the gift? I pray that time with her would be very sweet for you both.

I was thinking I would send them BOTH an email tomorrow telling them about Christmas options and how much I hope they can spend either Eve or Day with us. I hope I still have her email address. I want to make sure I include her in any suggested plans.

Sounds like a good plan, Norske. I pray it is well received by your DIL.

I found out from someone today that my dil is out of the country for a couple of months. Now I know why my son has reached out to me. It will be back to the same old story when she comes home. I knew all along it was her that was keeping him from me.

I am sorry for the dil norske , it is such a shame. We have to remember that God knows and sees all. He is the final judge of everything and everyone. I hope they are receptive to respecting you and giving you the deserved time and effort that you ask for.

That is very telling, sovery. I hope while your DIL is gone that you can establish a new relationship with your ES and that it will continue once she returns.