~ Three rings, three daughters ~

12:54 p.m.

Dad was ready to pass on Mom's rings to her daughters when we were all together in Kelowna last week. He was worried we might fight over them, he said.

I may have said out loud, "You still think we're 10 years old, don't you?"

But for sure I said something like, "Knowing my sisters, they would be more likely to say 'Here, you take it' if there was any dispute. They're very generous women."

Mom had three rings that had meaning to her. One was her engagement-wedding set; the other was her family ring; the third was a ruby ring Dad gave her for their 40th anniversary.

"I would prefer the engagement set," I told them, "but would not be the least bit disappointed if I didn't end up with that one. They're all pretty."

However, they both graciously let me have that particular set, and slipped the others on their fingers. Karen's wearing the ruby and Joan's wearing the family ring.

We did visit a psychic reader, whom I've known for over 20 years and whose insight has always been accurate for me. She gave us some information about Mom (or Mom gave her the information, which she passed on to us), including what her dying had been like for her, what she did for a while afterward, and what she is doing now — what her "job" is right now. My friend also said that an aunt who recently passed over is with Mom, doing the same "job," which has to do with holding infants that have recently died until they remember they are not infants but old souls.

That will be Aunt Jean, of course; this bit is what silenced any doubts I had. You couldn't say this to any family and have it be true; before November, you could not have said it to our family. We had no aunt who'd recently died.

Mom also made a joke we were to tell Dad about his guardian angel having grey and bedraggled wings because Dad's wearing him out after all these lifetimes; this is exactly the sort of quip Mom would make about Dad when she was alive.

We didn't tell Dad, as we are afraid it will upset him. He doesn't believe in things like this and would be angry and irritated that we let ourselves be "duped."

It does seem a shame not to tell him, though. Maybe one day I'll screw up the courage to do it and take the consequences.

This information has lifted a huge weight of grief from me. I needed to know that Mom is and now I do. I don't need her to be here.

I think Dad needs her to be here, so maybe this information wouldn't have the same effect for him.

We'll be spending the rest of the day hauling wet and ruined stuff to the dump. It's another sunny day so it will be an enjoyable drive. Scott thinks some water might still come in, so we're not out of the woods yet.