Ben says cookie and mom heads to Alaska

3/8 - Ben says cookie!!! The boys are doing great. 18 mos. old today. Time has certainly flown by. Mom went to Alaska for a couple of weeks to see Artis, whose cancer has spread to the lungs and possibly her bones. It was very spontaneous and only somewhat understandable. Based on the circumstances of Gary's death she wants to see Artis alive. Very understandable. It's also amazing to hear what she felt and saw there. People rolling their own cigarettes because they can't afford them. Bodies that break down like Steve's, preventing him from going up the stairs to bed. Meth eating away the lives of people who know no better. Sad really...she also saw tremendous beauty in the mountains, snow and the people she hadn't seen in such a long time. She also, in my opinion kept the past the past by not going to Kasilof.

Fred and Celia were available to take over until mom came back which was good.