We fly out late tonight, and I am getting stuff sorted out today with the feeling that I am wearing Velcro shoes in a Velcro clad world. Apparently grief thinks my ability to be functionally productive is delicious and has eaten it all, like a big, hungry grief monster. I am fairly sure a sloth could have easily galloped past me given the slightest head start.

Case in point; I am supposed to be packing and instead I am doodling the grief monster eating productivity. Totally helpful.

The frequency with which I have made this trip in the last two months is staggering, and I feel entitled to some sort of glittery wing brooch or a bronze statuette of me holding a tiny airplane looking smug and accomplished. (Either those or free inflight booze, WestJet, I am looking at you.)

A gaggle of our England family are also en route today, arriving tomorrow throughout the day. Long trips by plane, train, car and hovercraft (kidding but that would be most cool) The need to be near is just too strong for us all; we just need to cluster together and share our collective tears and laugh at memories and celebrate and hug to release the denial that he is actually gone. But to also solidify the fact that he will never, ever be forgotten.

The intention is to buy enough duty-free to make a barmaid in a tavern of ill repute, blush like a school girl. Go Team!