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A Sad Story

AGBF

Super_Ideal_Rock
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I went looking through pages of threads to see if there was one that looked appropriate to which to attach this posting. I didn't think it needed a thread of its own, although all kinds of improbable posts lead to good threads. :)) (And, conversely, all kinds of innocent topics sometimes lead to contentious threads that Ella has to close down.) Suffice it to say that I didn't find one that suited me.

Last night my daughter, who is 27 but has serious emotional problems, was out with her fiancé.

( I have posted about her and also about him, but I don't expect everyone to follow my life story closely.) He was living here, but cannot any longer. I am very torn. My daughter wants him here all the time. My husband, brother, and great-nephew want him completely off the property.In fact my brother said that if I let him back he would wash his hands of this whole situation. That is because Matt came in, angry, and ranted here making threats against my husband's life. I kept my husband from calling 911 because Matt has convinced me that any contact with the police would automatically send him back to prison for five years.I didn't feel that calling 911 about Matt yelling was the same as calling them about someone else.(And he was only yelling.)

At any rate, that is only background. Matt has been sleeping in his car. Thank God we got him a car. He saved money for a car; waited to become 25 so that insurance prices would be lower; got it insured; got it emissions tested; got it registered. Every step was painful and involved towing the car and fixing it and so forth, But now he has shelter.I really put my foot down about him beig here, though. So last night, for the first time, my daughter went out with him in his car to sleep where he parks it. He has acquired a camp stove (from his mother) with which to cook and cooked pasta for them. The police questioned him when he parked in front of my house, but where he parks now is a different kind of neighborhood. The police there do not bother him.

Late at night, after 10 PM at any rate, when my daughter wasn't home, I got a phone call for her. It was a man who tried to use a phoney first name but whose identity I guessed as one of her several heroin using/having been to prison friends. This was one who has done unspeakable things to her and cruelly used her. He is one of the few that I never willingly let into my house. (She sneaked men in, though, in the past before Matt.) He asked me if he could get in touch with my daughter because he thought her former boyfriend, B, had overdosed and died.He said he kew my daughter had ways of getting in touch with him.

I asked him if he knew how to get in touch with Matt and told him she was with him. They got in touch. When my daughter couldn't reach B by phone, she went to his parents' house. Remember this is almost midnight at this point. People were sitting around the kitchen table and his mother yelled at her to get out. She could only assume that he was, indeed, dead. So she left Matt and came home to sleep with me because she was so upset. B was her boyfriend for six years even though they fought and broke up from time to time everyone knew they were a couple. They really broke up a year or so ago. B used to call me "mom".When he managed to get off heroin and to earn the right to get the treatment for Hepatitis C because he had been clean for so long, we were so happy for him. But then he relapsed.

I just thought of what I wanted to call this thread: A Sad Story. I have spoken of Matt's childhood. He was an abused child whose parental rights were terminated.Until he was 9 and placed with his grandmother, he was in foster care. B was born i Bolivia and his parents came here. He grew up in an orphanage there. Both of them grew up longing for their mothers.Life just isn't fair.I decided to share this because I couldn't sleep. Thanks for being there.

Deb/AGBF :wavey:
 
Oh, that's incredibly sad. Such heartache. And so hard for you as a mom to be seeing the fallout from other kids who desperately needed a mom but didn't have one. I hope that you are able to get some sleep tonight, ready to face tomorrow when there will undoubtedly be more complexity to unravel. Your daughter is lucky to have you as someone she can rely on.
 
I am so sorry @AGBF. How terribly sad and heartbreaking. Life can be so hard and unfair. At times I wonder if it is worth the struggle. That of course is not my prevailing frame of mind but I would be lying if I said life was a breeze. And for some it is much harder than for others. So much to do with one's upbringing and family support and all the advantages some have and some struggle and never get.

I am sorry for your DD and for her loss and your loss as well. Your DD is very fortunate to have you on her side and by her side always there for her in every way you can be. I am sorry that young man never had a proper chance in life to make something worthwhile in this life and that he suffered. I hope he is at peace now.

Sending you much love and gentle hugs and all the best. I adore you Deb and I hope you are taking care of yourself because I know you are always there for everyone else and am concerned for your well being. Please take good care. ((((Hugs)))).
 
Sending many many hugs from Sydney Australia.
Hold your daughter tight and breathe. You are a wonderful mother and you are doing an amazing job. It mightn’t seem like that at times. Just hold her up when she’s about to fall and push her gently in the right or better direction.
it’s a good thing Mums are tough, we need to be but be kind and gentle to yourself. Do what you can when you can and that’s perfect.
 
Thank you for your support, @Ladygrey, @missy, and @Bron357.I find that I am happy to be reading all the things that each of you has to post. I thought that all I needed to do was to get my thoughts down on "paper", but I know from how I am responding that I needed more. I think I was hungry for some friendship, and I didn't know where else to go to get it And, of course, friendship is is a two-way street. One doesn't simply spill one's story out to a friend; one expects some feedback. (Perhaps one hopes for some consolation.)

I appreciate your kindness.
 
Dearest @AGBF I too am sending warm thoughts and prayers your way. Raising children is the job that never ends. It’s clear you have a huge heart as does your daughter. I wonder why she chooses men that have not had a mother’s influence present in their lives. I feel so sad for them that they have taken to sleeping in a car. Is there no help for him to get affordable housing? Does he work? We do live in an expensive region for the millennials...
I apologize that I have no real answers, but what I do have is tremendous respect for you for what you selflessly give to those in your life. I hope your daughter and Matt find their way soon. With you as her guide, I am certain she will.
As to the ex...that is profoundly sad for his family. I wish his family and friends much strength... that’s just heartbreaking.
 
I am so sorry you have to absorb yet more pain, more difficulty, more sadness. I'm sorry for the loss of B, for his struggles, for the hope lost. It sounds to me like you are always a pillar of strength for those around you - your father, your daughter, your daughter's boyfriends. You remind me of a buoy amidst a hurricane. It must be exhausting at times (all the time?) and I wonder at how you do it. Hugs Deb.
 
Thank you for your kind and insightful words @Slick1. I do not have answers to all the questions (good questions) you posed. One question, about why my daughter picks the men she does, I think I can answer.

Part of it is that when her mental illness began to show, in her early teens, the public school system put her into special education which changed everything for her. She had been a very innocent, sheltered child and then hormones and adolescence hit just as she became actively bi-polar (but we didn't know that was what it was then).

I had no idea that special education for gentle, frightened children who were bullied meant putting them in with the children who had come from homes where they had been abused and neglected and had had to learn to cope on the streets. This is where she started to make herself at home, with teenagers who could hardly read or write and who used profane language. All of them smoked cigarettes and drank alcohol. All of them smoked weed. Many of them used other drugs. Many of them fought, including the girls. I am very, very lucky that with all the trouble my daughter got into that she never started to smoke cigarettes or to drink alcohol. She also never liked marijuana, although she would take a puff socially from time to time to fit in. But she was promiscuous. She was gorgeous, but most men only wanted a quickie from her and half the town used her then discarded her and called her a "whore". I actually chased men down my street yelling that I was going to call the police if they didn't go away and grabbed my daughter out of some men's cars. Once I threatened to follow a man -who had her in his car- in my Jeep and to tell the police that he had drugs in his car if they stopped us. I am very, very glad that the days of endless men are behind us.

I am rambling. I just wanted to say thank you. :))

Deb
 
I'm sorry for what you're going through. You have done everything possible for your daughter and her friends. It is a sad story, both what you've been through and what these young people have been through. Take care.
 
@rainydaze-

I am so touched that you remembered my father! He passed away more than three years ago. I must have blabbered constantly to have caused you to remember him. But your mentioning him made me feel so happy. You are very, very kind.

Thank you for everything you said to me in your posting.

Deb
 
Oh goodness no, not at all - you didn't blabber on! Your posts and your selflessness are just memorable - it's clear even from a few posts that you have a big heart and endless patience for your loved ones who need you.
 
Oh @AGBF I am so sorry that her life changed when she went into Sped. I completely agree with what you wrote about her classmates and their influence on her from then on.
It’s a real conundrum for educators, parents and kids when we just don’t have the resources to create a more compassionate or sensible system for special needs’ student placement. Especially when many students with behavioral needs are placed with students who solely need emotional or academic support. It should be easy to see that we should not be putting our most vulnerable children with the more aggressive, in-need-of discipline students. \rant
Sending hugs that you have a peaceful day today. One day at a time. ♥
 
I am so sorry @AGBF. Addiction is a terrible, terrible disease. You and your daughter are in my prayers.
 
Deb @AGBF I’m here if you want to chat this morning. Or whenever. We all need the human connection. It’s critical for our well being. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. (((Hugs)))
 
Sharing a poem I recently read and it touched my heart. Hope you enjoy it.



Inner Peace

© Joshua Fraser

Published: August 11, 2018

The wind whistles past my ears.
Closing my eyes, I lose all my fears.
The waves crash into the rocks.
Out here there is no time on my clock.

The serenity I feel here just soothes my mind.
A peaceful day so hard to find.
The breeze just calms my soul.
Helps me think about what is my life's goal.

I then look out over the ocean,
And it feels like my life has lost its commotion.
The sun sets down over the clouds.
But the orange glow around makes me proud.

As the night draws near.
I feel like where I need to be is here.
The soothing nature this afternoon brings
Just feels like such a beautiful thing.

I sit and wonder where life will go,
But right now all I want is for time to slow.
To enjoy this moment and feel free,
To clear my mind and find some glee.

It's days like these I truly treasure.
Amazing nights and beautiful weather.
It may not seem like much.
But it's moments like these I want to clutch.

For once I feel like life is bliss.
So many hard days in which my happiness was missed.
I could get lost listening to the waves.
Listening to the birds and watching how the clouds behave.

I could close my eyes and fade into the night.
The tranquility I feel helps me win the fight.
As the waves keep crashing into the rocks,
I feel the happiness in my heart become unlocked.

The day is drawing to a close.
The peacefulness I feel right now I'll only know.
Right now my mind is finally clear.
It's time to go as the night draws near.

 
I am sorry Deb. My condolences. Addiction is ugly
 
That is really sad. I have heard many addicts die when they get clean and then relapse and try an amount they used to use which they can no longer tolerate.

I hope you daughter is able to maintain steady ground with this news.
 
I'm really sorry @AGBF. Addiction is such a struggle and the effects of it are so devastating. This is a really sad situation. My sympathies to B's family and friends. Sending hugs and comfort to you.
 
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I feel sad too. I feel for your entire family. Your daughter and Matt are still too young and vulnerable. Great thing they both have you, a caring and loving Mom. I don't know what else I can add, but I wish your daughter finds an incredible strengths to proceed with her life and be as happy as possible one day at a time. Hope very sad emotions do not overwhelm her during this trying time. Hugging you warmly Deb.
 
I'm sorry, @AGBF . The whole thing is just heartbreaking.
 
Aww Deb, your title is really apropos. What a sad story. I’m so sorry that you, your daughter and family have been going through such an emotional roller coaster. Addiction sucks, plain and simple. Sending gentle hugs to you and prayers for all of you.
 
I’m very sorry, Deb. I’m sorry that your daughter is dealing with mental illness. I’m sorry that your daughters illness is making your life more difficult at this point when you’ve earned a rest, and time to live life on your terms. I hope there will be more effective solutions for her illness soon.
 
Deb, sorry to hear what you and your family are going through :(sadall I can offer you is a BIG hug and hope everything will get better soon.
 
I'm sorry about what's going on for all of you right now. You are such a good mom. I remember your earlier posts about your daughter. I am keeping you and your family in my thoughts. Hugs.
 
Sending gentle hugs.
 
Aw Deb, i'm so so I am glad your daughter came home because she is sad, she knows home is safe. I think letting her be in the car with her BF is okay, I know a bit more of the story so I understand why your brother has a say in this. Husband is fearful for himself and rightly so.

We do our very best to be parents but then there is life, I can guess what some of your fears are right now and my heart is holding your heart. I am not a sage and what I say has little bearing but I DO know that you MUST take care of Deb... All good things to Deb, the best we can be for our troubled children is to be the best healthy person we can be.. you are brilliant, very well educated and a lovely human being, BUT you must remember that and put Deb first. You are a very special person, I know this.. you must remember that your daughter WAS raised in a caring home and at some point that could really kick in Deb more than ever.. she loves you. I care Deb I really do. kate
 
Gosh, Deb, this is heartbreakingly sad. Your daughter must be really going through it right now. I'm thankful that you & your husband have been so loving & supportive of her when many others wouldn't have been. Of all the times when she has needed you & a cuddle with her mummy, this must be up there at the top.

Stay strong for each other & huge, huge hugs from across the miles. You are an awesome mummy.
 
Sorry to read this, I wish your daughter lots of strength. And for you too.
 
Hi Deb,
Please be careful of your dealings with some of these characters. The story, or stories that you have told are truly sad, but I think these men are unsavory and could be dangerous . Your brother and husband have given you good advise and while I know you are a trained social worker, I beg you to be careful.

I think you know you have been an extraordinary mother, who goes beyond what is required. Your life and hers are conjoined in places. Those are the mother daughter bonds you share. But you are separate people with your own needs and wants. You must also work on fulfilling your needs. Sometimes you can come first.

Yes, the story you told is a sad one. Don't become too entwined in that story. It will steal your Joy.

Annette
 
My heart goes out to you Deb. You are so courageous to post about your struggles as a mom, and dealing with the challenges of a child (at any age) with mental illness. I'm so glad you have this forum to air out your feelings with. This story is very sad, and also very scary for the rest of us who may appear to be online "happy-go-lucky" but dealing with similar situations at home. ((((((Hugs))))))) you are not alone, and very happy to be a neutral ear where you can share your stories with-happy or sad.
 
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