The Powers that Be have decided that my thirteen year old brother can begin with home visits. It starts with half day (four hours) passes, the first one being granted for today! Once we have a few successful four hour passes (pick up on time, drop off on time, no incidents with my brother at school, etc.), then we’ll be granted full day (eight hour) passes. Then overnight passes, then weekend passes, and after that hopefully he’ll be home. With my eleven year old brother, it’s a different story, but one that I don’t have time for right now.
Anyway, I’m on my way out to go pick up my brother. I’m looking at about four and a half total hours of driving today, since he needs to be picked up, brought back here to my house, then taken back again, but I’m hoping to get my mom to do the afternoon driving.
P.S. Wouldn’t you know that Blueboy had to yak a hairball on my freshly steam-cleaned living room carpet? Bastard. I guess he’s pissed at me because the kibbles ran out about two hours ago, and you know he and the other cats are just positively starving.
P.P.S. Speaking of kitties, I’m the one that has to break the news to my brother about Merlin. We don’t really want to ruin the day by doing so, but Alyssa (unfortunately, she was with my mom when Merlin was found) won’t stop saying “Merlin is still dead”, so we know it would come out sooner or later. 
That’s great that your brother is getting to visit! I am sure he is thrilled. How is things coming with getting both of them back??
That’s great he’s getting visits home now, hopefully it will be the start of a fast moving train to him being back home.
I hope that your brother enjoys his home time and realizes that he’s always taken it for granted. I mean, that may sound like I’m being mean, but really it might make him realize just how much home means to him.
Oh, that’s good news that there’s progress being made re: your brother!