An unexpectedly emotional evening

Since the weather is absolutely gorgeous, I asked Andrew if he would go with me to our high school girls' field hockey game when we took Robert to band practice.  My cousin plays on the team and I wanted to see her play at least once.  We went up to chat with her afterwards and just wanted to let her know that we are here for her.  Her father (my first cousin) has essentially abandoned her to go off and have the time of his life with his new girlfriend.  In addition, her grandfather (my uncle - dad's sister's husband) is not speaking to her.  I completely acknowledge that Emily said some things she shouldn't have said, but Uncle Darrell has to be the adult in the situation and reach out to her.  This poor girl has really been through the wringer with this side of the family in the past year.  She lives with her mom which is about a half hour away, but has open enrolled here in our school district so she can finish out her last year of school.  We reminded her this evening that she is welcome to crash with us any time at all that she would like to do so...and as she thanked us profusely, she began to cry as she said she just doesn't have anyone here.  I, of course, cried right along with her as I gave her a hug and told her I loved her.  She does not deserve the way the adults in her life have treated her.

After that, since it was still very early, Andrew and I decided to walk over to the volleyball game.  I was really looking forward to the varsity match, but wanted to call and check on Catherine and Thomas to make sure all was okay at home.  Thomas answered the phone, and he was very upset.  Those two have spent the summer at our neighbor's house playing with the new kittens.  One of the kittens isn't going to make it much longer, and the neighbor kids decided to bring that kitten over so that Thomas and Catherine could have one last moment.  I've written before how my little guy loves all animals, and his heart was broken.  I asked if he needed us to come home, and he said he did.  He actually told me that he wanted a hug from his mom.  I got home and he crawled up in my lap and the tears filled his eyes...and of course mine too!

I know that we are all going to be okay, but it's been a much more emotional evening than I expected!