Well, yesterday was the big day - my son adopted his step-daughter. I took a purse full of tissue and I was able to maintain appropriately. I cried but kept it in tact! I was emotional but appropriate instead of wailing! We had a dinner later in the evening and I gave them a gift (a sand dollar mom picked up at the beach before she passed away, the story of the sand dollar) as a representation of mom! I did good when I gave that too her too! I am so proud of me for being able to express my emotions - not stuffing them - but at the same time - not going over board!
I am patting myself on the back as soon as I get through typing this! I have been since yesterday too. My son even commented on it - "mom you did great"!