Dear Tyler,

Hi my sweet son! How are you doing on this Tuesday afternoon? Mom is doing alright but I am off my game today. I feel okay but I don't. It is weird. I think I am just tired. I slept last night but not in a good deep sleep at all. I think that after a good nights sleep tonight I will be doing much better. The weather today is so nice & sunny. Mom just got back from taking the pups on a nice long walk. I will do it again later tonight as well before the sun sets or as it is setting. Maybe I will be able to get some pretty pictures of the sky this evening. Guess Mom is putting in her request for you to get your brushes out! If I get some pictures then I will post them on my letter to you tomorrow night. 
 I think that one of the reasons why Mom is feeling blah is because on Sunday it will be Mother's Day. That is a very hard day for me. It has been for the last 5 years. So many memories are brought back up for me. All the times we spent together, Mom moving away & I was suppose to fly home to see you & I couldn't because Snickers bit me in the face & eye the day before Mother's Day that year. Too many hurtful things around this time of year. A week from today is also my Birthday. Not really into celebrating it but maybe as it gets closer I will. Next weekend we will be heading to NH for a couple days. Mom has a paint party scheduled with about 10 ladies on that Saturday. We are going to paint wine glasses. That should be fun! The rest of the time will be spent seeing Great Grammy & our family. Mom will also be coming to sit with you & visit for a bit. The weather is suppose to be really nice so I will be looking forward to that. Not all that often I get to enjoy the peace & quiet while sitting on your bench. I can't believe that next week is already the middle of May. That means in less than 3 weeks it is Memorial weekend & everything opens up for the next 4 months. Tourist season begins everywhere. The weather will get warmer & the nights get longer as well. It stays lighter outside until almost 8 or 9 pm. Love this time of year. we used to love this time of the year. So many more things we could do outside together. I miss you so much, Tyler. It hurts like crazy. You were & always will be my everything. I love you to the moon & back & all the way around the world. You will forever be my hero & the wind beneath my wings. You will always live within my heart, mind, body & soul. 
 Last night was quiet. Mark was on his computer until 8 pm. We had dinner quickly together & that was about it. Mom watched TV for a bit. Grandpa called but Mom was watching a show & meant to call him back after but I totally forgot about it. I will call him back this evening. Meme called on her lunch break. Everything is the same there. Aunt Beck called me this afternoon. It was so good to catch up with her. She told me bits & pieces about her trip...what she really liked & what she didn't. I guess her & John are planning a trip back there next year but to different parts of Italy. All in all they had a good time. She was saying that when they got home Sunday night they noticed that there was quite a bit of damage done to their wood shed. A tornado went through VT & NY late last week. I guess a good size branch went right through their metal roof. They are having someone come & estimate the damage. Glad they were not home while it happened. Tonight will be relaxing. We will take the pups for another long walk, have dinner & relax. Mark has a busy day tomorrow with work. He will be somewhere all day & then he has a cut over starting that early evening so Mom will be having a quiet evening alone. Next week will be the same way. He has a cut over as well. He has been having them steady every week for the last 3 weeks already. These are the times Mom really dislikes but I am trying to deal with it the best I can. I know you help me out on those times. I know you are with Mom all the time anyways. Thank you my sweet precious son. It means so much to me. That is all the updates & the "what's going ons" for today. I am sure there will be more as the week progresses. 
 Mom will whisper to you later tonight so be listening out for my voice. Smile when you hear Mom & I will smile to you as well. I will light the diffuser  tonight along with the candle. Know that it is burning bright in your memory. I will be back tomorrow with another letter to you after I study all day long. Have fun tonight while Mom is sleeping. Come be with me or visit me in my dreams if you can. Thanks Ty! Until tomorrow.... good night & sweet dreams my bright shining star!
 Always, Mommy xoxoxo. Muah!

Here is the prayer for the day:
 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble...The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Psalm 46:1, 7, RSV

Lord, Almighty God of heaven and earth, grant that we may come to you as your children. For you have chosen us through the gospel, and Jesus Christ has obtained mercy for us so that in you we have a refuge in disturbed and evil times. We turn to your Word, Lord God, rejoicing that again and again the whole of Christendom is led back to your Word. Strengthen all those who serve your Word, who look to you and to the grace of Jesus Christ. Grant that everywhere we may have hope and joy in the redemption you will bring in every situation, also in our ordinary practical life. Grant that through this redemption the earth may proclaim your praise and honor your name, your kingdom may come, and your will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen.