Addressing Daniel’s graduation announcements today, I’m not struck as much by Sunrise Sunset type music in the mental background as I’d expected. (That will be during the ceremony itself.) I’m more awestruck. How did this wonderful human come to be? All my mistakes and neuroses, my grumpy days, times I was late picking him up at school or forgot to drop off brownies or offered to pay him cold cash instead of making birthday cupcakes for his class…. He should be a mess. Instead, he is this beautiful, gentle, good man with a sharp sense of humor and a sharper sense of justice. Capable and brilliant, yes, but …. Good. I am so lucky to even know him. (Okay, now I’m hearing the violins.)
This has been a very long week -- perhaps 16 or 17 days, at least. I have been offered -- and accepted -- my younger sister’s finished basement for the next year and a half. This will be a major cost-saver for me and a big help for her (she has two toddlers and is expecting a baby in August.) So that was a humongous start to the week. My other sister and her teenaged son have had to make some really hard decisions. She gave me permission to quote her: “spent yesterday at the hospital with my son. about eleven hours. sitting here writing and rewriting this entry trying to find just the right words. how to explain-- he is not healthy. he is mentally ill. he is not safe at home. none of this really covers it. so here's one image from the day. we walk into the east wing at maine med escorted by security. the very nice guard LOOKS like a skinhead but actually has incredible kindness and compassion for my snarly boy. he tells us gently that he has to check ian for weapons and sharp o...
Comments