UPDATE:

It's now 2001, and though my family hasn't grown, there have been lots of changes.

My youngest son, Jeff, has put himself in a place that has caused me many sleepless nights and truly tested my faith in God. He has made me use every ounce of Al-anon I ever learned and has put me to the test in every way a mother can be tested.

Jeffrey became a heroin user. A drug addict, a junkie, God, the words just make me ache! He's the father of 3 and has a wonderful girl, but the call of the "high" is too much for him.

I will always love him, he's my son, but believe me, I have to use Tough Love to the fullest and it's not an easy thing to do.

Jeff is in jail right now, and as awful as this may sound, it's a relief to me because I know where he is, where he's sleeping and eating and showering and that he's NOT shooting up.

When I first learned of this, I felt as though someone had literally beaten me up.....it's been torture, but, as usual, God has stepped in and reminded me that have no control, I have to acknowledge my faith and turn my son over to Him. It's hard, but I do it every single morning! I try to keep in touch with my grandkids, Jeff's 3 children, but it's not easy and that's because poor Liz is working all the time. She's a good girl and my heart aches for her and the kids. I talk to the kids about their father often and we talk about bad choices and what happens when we make the wrong choices or do the wrong things! Trust me, no age is too young to talk about drugs. My oldest son, Brian and his wife, Kim, bought a new home after making a dynamite profit on their other one, and have added a huge addition and it's wonderful. I have to concentrate on them to keep the "sun shining" and to remind me of the "wonderful" things in my life, too. These kids are great, their family is tremendous and it's amazing to see the 4 kids they have developing such individual personalities!! We talk about "Uncle Jeff" and his choices, also. They pray for him every night!

My oldest granddaughter, Katie, now 8, is really doing well and I'm so proud of her. She's growing up so quickly.

My husband put in a scary winter, had pneumonia, and honestly didn't think he was going to survive. He's doing extremely well now, thank God, and feels totally rejunvenated!(All without viagra!!!)) lol

My youngest sister, the one married Bill, who was in the horrible car accident, is really having a tough time with depression. I have tried so hard to lead her in the direction of getting help, but she's stubborn and one of those people that you have to sit back and watch "hurt" till they accept the fact that it's okay to need help.......we're all human and we all need one another!!

I've made some tremendous friends on the net, and I belong to several women's groups and can't tell you what the people in these groups have come to mean to me!

As a matter of fact, one of my LOTH (Ladies of the Heart) sisters has volunteered to maintain my site for me as I don't know anything about html or web design. She is a treasure!!

I also belong to Forever Me Lady and have really found some super friends here, also.

Anybody that is lonely, please, don't hesitate to join a group, the people become family and if you're lonely, as I was, because I am disabled and not able to work, it's a healthy way to socialize without getting into a place that can lead to trouble.

I've seen so many of my friends losing their marriages because they're meeting guys and I can't get through to them that they don't really know these men and can make them anything they want in their minds, it's meeting someone, spending time with them, and being around them a lot that tells you who they are, it's not always possible to tell just from chatting. I realize a lot of people have created new lives and have bettered themselves through the internet, but a lot have not only ruined their own lives, but the lives of whole families!!

As with anything else, I guess, if you abuse something, it can be detrimental, but used properly, it can be a life saver!! I was supposed to add a paragraph, I've added a chapter! lol I guess that's about it for now, I'll add more later, but please, stop at my forum and share with me. I would love it! I would love to become acquainted with you, and maybe we can help one another!