Dear Tyler,

Hi my sweet son! How are you doing on this Monday late afternoon? Mom wishes she could say she was doing good but that would be a lie and I don't do that so my honest answer is that I am just doing. It is definitely a Monday for sure and the weather doesn't help out either. We are still getting snow and I think it may be a mix at this point because the salt trucks are out salting the roads here in the complex. The skies have been cloudy and gray all day long. The temps were in the low 20's as well. Just not a good day all around. We are in for more of this Wednesday evening but I think there will be more ice this time than snow. 
 Mom is glad that I wrote to you yesterday morning because I knew I would not have the chance to do it that night. Yesterday did not go at all the way it was suppose to go. It was Mom and Sarah going to get our nails done while Mark and his brother visited. Sarah bailed on Mom at the last minute so Mark went with me and we decided that we would do the stuff we needed to do and then catch up with them later in the evening for dinner. While Mom was getting her nails done, they found mark and they took off leaving me to basically fend for myself. I had no idea where they were and I had no keys to the vehicle to get inside to stay warm until they got back. I stood outside for 20 minutes waiting for them. mark and Mom were suppose to be going to do the things we needed and Mark decided that could all wait because going to the liquor store was more important. We went there and then headed home. Mom's afternoon was basically watching 3 people get drunk and playing the play station for a couple hours while I sat in the living room and watching TV by myself. We ordered dinner and Mom chatted with Meme for a bit. At least someone wanted to talk to me. Dinner came, they decided to eat at the dining room table but because I felt the way I did from being ignored earlier, Mom decided to eat dinner while watching TV. No one engaged me in the conversation and they were talking about "old times" so I couldn't join in even if I wanted to. Mark and Mom got into a fight right in front of his brother and his GF. I didn't care at all because I had no problem saying what I needed to. Well that did not go over well at all as you could probably guess. After dinner, they proceeded to chat without including me, I excused myself to the bathroom and when I was in there they all decided to leave. Mark returned around 11 pm last night. Mom chatted with Meme until about 10 pm and then I decided to call it a night. I watched TV for a bit and then fell asleep. Meme asked Mom what I was going to do. I said that at that moment I did not know because I was so upset and hurt. I am tired of not being someone that matters to Mark. How I feel about things he doesn't care about. I am tired of the fighting and then not talking. I just pretty much have given up and checked out at this point. That is hard to admit but it is the truth. I find myself not "fitting" into his world anymore. We are two totally different people and we have nothing in common anymore. We are growing further and further apart these days. He worked from home today and not one word was spoken. It is the silent treatment once again. I started to prep dinner and he said to just cook for myself as he had other plans. What those are I don't know but I can't get upset over something I can't control. I will plan to have dinner by myself tonight, watch a bit of TV and then go to bed early. I didn't sleep all that great last night and I am kinda tired right now. Mom studied all day today. I looked over my exam and then submitted it. I got an 84. 4 questions wrong at 4 points a piece. I think I did okay but I wished that I had done better. I moved on though and started the next chapter and  worked on exam 6. I will complete that tomorrow and then submit that. Mom is hoping to be done with this course by the end of the week. That is my goal. I want to be completely finished by the end of the month. I have 10 days to complete it all. I have 6 exams and 2 finals left. I am crossing my fingers that I can pull it off. 
 Mom doesn't have much for updates for you at all. Debbie is at the hospital but not working right now. She is having her knee looked at. Not sure what is going on with that. I have not spoken to Grandpa since last Thursday night. I will try to get in touch with him later. Bob called Mom this morning to see how I was doing. I thought that was nice. I will call them later tonight when I am alone so it will be easier to talk to them. I still have not been able to get in touch with Aunt Beck. She seems very busy though. I will try this week. Aunt Shirley and Richard are both not feeling well. Several issues between them. Mom will keep you posted as I know of things though. Please watch over us all. Mom definitely needs you by my side right now, Tyler. Thank you my sweet precious son. It is already 4:45 pm and Mom needs to feed the pups and just wait for my dinner to get done. That won't be for about an hour though. I will light your candle in a few minutes and I will whisper to you later tonight. I will be back with another letter to you tomorrow. Please do not worry about Mom. All the things that I am going through I will survive and make it through. I guess my lesson to be learned here is that everyone lives a different lifestyle and not everyone fits into it. I live differently then others and some would be okay with the way I live and others would not be. That is okay too. What I won't do is allow myself or someone else to make me be a part of something that I don't like, won't tolerate or something that makes me uncomfortable. Mom will be okay. Give me time though. I sure hope that your evening will be all that you need and want it to be. Come be with me or visit me in my dreams tonight. Thank you. I love you to the moon and back and all the way around the world. To infinity and beyond. I miss you like crazy. You will always be my hero and the wind beneath my wings. Forever you are in my heart, mind, body and soul. You are my everything still. Nothing is ever going to change that. Thank you, Tyler. You are Mom's bright star that is helping me light my way. Until tomorrow comes.... good night and sweet dreams.
 Always, Mommy xoxoxo. Muah!

Here is the prayer for the day:

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:29–31, NIV

Lord our God, our loving Father, we thank you for all that our hearts and spirits are allowed to receive from you. We thank you for the community you give us, strengthening us to face life even through toil, struggle, and privation. Grant that your powers flow out to give us strength and courage. May we see and recognize you in your deeds ever more clearly. Do not let us faint or grow weary, no matter what we have to suffer. Grant that your Spirit may penetrate us ever more deeply to bring peace to us and those around us, and finally to bring blessing for all peoples of the earth. Amen.