okay, everyone on SR officially ROCKS.
(((lex))), i'm just hopping back to the board after a couple of days away. i have no experience with such a reunion. however, i do have extensive experience with grief.
to that i will only offer that i think one of the biggest internal challenges you may face is to allow yourself BOTH the grief AND the hope. to contain and experience more than one feeling at a time is really challenging. it's not something we are really taught or given permission to do, especially in f'd up backgrounds like ours.
i think it's amazing he was so chatty. to me, that indicates he has missed you terribly. but, of course, i can't read his mind. i'm not suggesting that. more just an instinct regarding a teen.
give this all of your heart and PLENTY of time.
you are a brave, brave woman. remember that you suited up and showed up at the very moment you had the opportunity to do so. kids KNOW who they can trust. they KNOW who loves them, who always did. he's older and there plenty to deal with but be patient with yourself. be flexible.
abc