Dear Tyler,

Hi my sweet son! How are you doing on this Tuesday evening? Mom is late again as it is already 5:50 pm. The pups have been fed but Mark and I have not had dinner yet. Guess we will be eating around 6:30 pm tonight. I just got done working on an exam and Mom passed it but I am disappointed with myself as I didn't do better than I was expecting. I got an 83 which is a B but I really thought that I was going to get an A on it. Mom is going to message the instructor about a few of them to see so maybe my grade will go just a bit higher. I know I should be proud of that B as these exams are by no means easy but I guess I really put a lot of stress on myself to get A's. I need to stop that because at the end of all this no one cares what my grades all were, they just care that I got a degree. Anyways... tomorrow will be another day and another 2 chapters to go over and then exam 3. I will already be 3/4 of the way through this class and it will be only day 3. Not to shabby!
 Mom was up early this morning. I was able to get coffee, snacks and everything that Mark needed to make his way into the office today. After he left I lounged with the pups for a bit and then got ready, made brunch and then started right in on studying. The weather has been nice. Cloudy but in the low 70's. Tomorrow will be all rain all day long with thunderstorms. I hope not too bad so that the pups won't freak out. After dinner tonight I think we will take the pups for a nice walk. That will be good for us all. Later it will be just relaxing and then going to bed. Maybe some TV but not all that much. 
 Last night was really quiet. I spoke to Meme for a bit and that was it. I never did call Grandpa like I said I would or call Aunt Beck today either. I am really slacking...not really as Mom and Mark are both just trying to catch up from the week we lost and get back into the swing of things again. We will get it together in the next day or two. I will give them both calls tomorrow. I know that Grandpa went over Aunt Shirley's today to sort through some of Great Grammy's belongings. I guess he stayed for a couple of hours and she was really happy about that. I know she misses him and is sad that her and Debbie don't get along anymore. I know if she had it her way things would be different but Debbie is pretty strong in why it is the way it is and nothing will change that. Maybe one day all the petty stuff will get left behind and everyone can get along with one another. That sure would be nice. Not much else for updates I am afraid. Maybe more in the next few days. I will keep you posted though.
 Mom will light the candle for you and Great Grammy tonight. Looks like tonight will be the last of this one and tomorrow will start a new one. Mom loves the candles and the aroma that they give off. I get that from Meme. We always had candles burning every night while I was growing up. I will whisper to you later as well. Mom is hoping to get a good nights rest tonight. Guess I have a lot on my mind because I am not sleeping well at all. Please be with Mom so that I can get some solid sleep. Come visit in my dreams or sit next to me while I sleep. Thank you my sweet precious son. Have fun tonight and I hope that you get to do all kinds of neat things. Happy learning and venturing to new parts of the world. I miss you so much. More than words and I love you to the moon and back and all the way around the world. You will always be my hero and the wind beneath my wings. Forever in my heart, mind, body and soul. 
 Mom is really surprised that I haven't seen a beautiful sunset in a couple months now nor the moon or stars. It sure has been weird this summer. It is already getting dark at 7:30 pm now. That is a sure sign Fall is coming faster. The leaves are already changing too. Soon we will be changing the clocks back and the sun will go down around 4 pm and it will be dark. Mom is not looking forward to that time of the year again as winter will be approaching us soon enough. Guess it looks like a rough winter again with cold temps and at least 5 major snow storms according to the Farmers Almanac. Mark and Mom are still weighing the pros and cons to what to do about moving or staying. We are going to discuss it further later this evening as well. Even though I have not seen the stars shining bright I know you are shining bright for someone who needs it. That makes me smile and makes me proud to still call you my son. Thank you for being my bright shining star. Mom really needs to get going now as it is 6:10 pm and I need to focus on dinner for Mark and I and also do some relaxing. I will be back tomorrow with another letter to you so until then..... good night and sweet dreams. 
 Always, Mommy xoxoxo. Muah!

Here is the prayer for the day:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8–9, NIV

Dear Father in heaven, let our thoughts be filled with all that is honorable, just, pure, gracious, good, and praiseworthy. We want to await your Spirit, not giving way to anxiety, but showing ourselves worthy to be your children. We want to be your children, who can rise above even the most difficult conditions and maintain a quiet trust, to the glory of your Spirit within us. Protect us now and always in your divine peace. Amen.