I Have Had Better Days

Believe me I will not be upset if you pass this post by! I will probably take it down soon anyway. I am just disillusioned these days by those who victimized others, who feel no guilt for what they do. As many of you know, I am the parent of an adult with developmental disabilities. Dan is not perfect, no one is, but he is kind and friendly and willing to help out others. Unfortunately, this can mean he is often taken advantage of. A couple of weeks ago as is my habit I visited Danny with his usual weekly money. Grocery money, money to eat out one evening, and cash for every day. He gets four dollars a day to spend on soda, etc. This was taken care of on Sunday night. On Monday around noon he was calling to remind me that he needed his money for the week. His support staff was coming and he needed the money soon! I argued with him but he was so upset I finally went over to his apartment. Sure enough all the money was gone. I emptied my wallet so he could shop and asked a few questions. Turns out he has been befriended by a young man living in the same complex. This guy often borrows from Danny and uses his phone and hangs out in his apartment. He was there that morning, and he was there the next Monday morning before eight o'clock. . Told Danny he needed to use his phone because his truck was not running. By nine  I was getting a call that all his daily money was once again gone. I have changed whet we do for grocery money and eating out money or that would probably be gone as well. Danny lives on seven hundred dollars a month. This was devastating!

If you are familiar with the innocence of many of the disabled you will understand why this can happen. What I don't understand is the person who thinks this behavior is okay. This is one of those times when I have to say I am done. I hope you are having a better month than I am. I know things will get better and it could be worse.

Christmas on my mind!

 Hello again, it looks like I am not finished with Christmas just yet. In my last post I spoke about family and the creativity of those I grew up with. So, now I will show elements of a wreath my sister Kathleen gifted me with. First of all, I think we have a rather unique relationship. Kathy is five years younger than me. If you look back on the post that includes my wedding picture you will see her looking very young. As the years passed and we were both married, we started to hang out more. When the children cam along we found the age difference had begun to fade. We became friends, confidants and as close as sisters can ever be.

 We are separated these days by distance. My husband, and son and I moved to Mo about ten yearts ago to be with our daughter and subsequently our granddaughter. My husband had retired and began to say such things as he would rather see his friends a few times a year and out daughter once a week or even more. I was born in California, raised there, raised our children there. I miss the Christmas fun we had in the days. We always met for lunch and the sort of shopped. We didn't buy much that day but walked around acting smug because we were finished with our own shopping.

 She cried with me when our youngest child was born with developmental disabilities and always treated him as if he were just like the other kids. So he always thinks he is. He still asks about her every day.

 We are at a time in our lives where the hard stuff gets harder. So, we hold on to each other despite the distance and for me it is a great comfort.

 As many of you know, my husband is in a wheel chair because he has had four strokes. Kathleen's husband is now also ill with cancer. We cannot physically comfort one another, but we keep in touch as much as we can offer all the support we have to give. I am so lucky to have a baby sister who loves me enough. I hope you have someone in your life who can give you hope.

Two days before Christmas I received this beautiful wreath hand made by my dear sister just for me. You already know how much I treasure hand made gifts and when someone makes something with me in mind, I am so honored. So Kathleen, thank you so much. I am so happy to have you in my life.
I hope you all have someone to love and be loved by as I do.