Thank you so much. It's just hard coming from a family as close-knit as my maternal one is, and not being able to be around them to grieve together, you know?

The dog bite is healing well — I just feel so stupid for allowing it to happen in the first place, but given the dog in question had come up to me and sort of snuggled around my legs, I didn't assume it was the biting kind!

Looking forward to seeing you two soon as well, and I should buy you a gin for your birthday (December birthdays represent!).