I'm trying not to get spoilers from everyone else's comments, as I'm still reading.
It seems odd that they would both allow two years to go by without packing things up. In two years time, a lot of dust would settle. Food would go bad and drugs, herbs and toiletries would expire.
The scents in the closet would probably not last that long either. My daughter emptied a quarter ounce of very expensive perfume many years ago. The scent was very strong for several weeks. It was apparent for a few months, but it didn't last for two years--even though it was in a dark room without a lot of air circulation and where the sunlight wouldn't cause it to prematurely break down.
I think it's highly unfair that the kids were downgraded based on their parents' profession. If Lois had known, she would have put a stop to it. Children have their own strengths and weaknesses that may be entirely different from anyone else in the family.
Of course, that isn't what this story is about. It's about getting stuck in the grieving process. James and I made the decision this year that we wouldn't get stuck. It was a hard thing to decide, but it had to be done. It's hard enough on the kids if one parent is depressed. When two are depressed, things kind of fall apart.
We're doing better now, but we had to start with the little things--eating right, exercising and getting enough sleep. (The sleep is the hardest part.) It's took about four months, but we're back on our feet now.
However, it's different when you lose both parents at the same time. We're not the ones packing things up. That's Dad's job.
Anyway, I'm glad you wrote this.
Elisabeth
