CHAPTER 1 - FREE TO BE ME

Love your description of the nut and bolt dude and the spegetti o man... LOL

Oh Lynne - what a lot of memories this brought back for me. I too did PWP and met many men like these. I too moved away to another State. Those memories, coupled with yours, brought a lot of chuckles from me.

I re read this one and then read Dixieland, chapter two. You had a rough road my friend. I sure do love reading your work.

Hey! I like this story. It kinda represents me in some ways for the past 12 years since my husband died. I have dated four men none of whom could I care for. However one remains a good friend and we email back and forth nearly every day. I guess that is all I want anyway, just a friend

Spaghetti Man, Rich Man...I love your descriptions of these men..LOL Great writing Lynne as always, I`m glued to the screen and can`t wait to see what life has in store for you next..:-)

CHAPTER 2 - DIXIELAND

Love it! Especially the eternal debate about what God's will really is for our lives. Round and round and back and forth we go!!!

i am sorry you didn't love the south as i do. but i also remember that i was born and bred here and would live nowhere else as evidenced by the fact that i have stayed yea these many years.

You're going to miss the South. I enjoyed the story, but you ARE going to miss the South.

Wow, that felt close to home. I too have felt like a picture out of its frame.

I can imagine all the mixed emotions you were having at that time in your life...can't wait to read what you did after you headed back up north

Yes it's true, you can't go home again. After so many years, I was homesick for my country, but when I visited I felt like an alien, everything was so different from my last visit there. While I had a good time and showed my friend the route of "the Milk Run" he was amazed that little girls were allowed such adventures. But by golly, I ate all my favorite foods and snacks!!!

Another good story Lynne. I think I have lost my desire to live in a warm country. Spiders, and cockroaches are just not my thing.

That must have been such a lonely time for you in Georgia and well, the cockroaches and spiders would have done me in long before they did you...LOL There`s no place like home and kids...I`m glad you went back..:-)

CHAPTER 3 - LITTLE MISSY

i guess he married her and ultimately divorced her; or she made him a wonderful wife and you were wrong; no woman is right for our sons

I have an Adam too...though we've called him "Bud" since he was 3 months old...Bud's been dating a girl for a couple of years...I love her, but I think she's bipolar, or something...anyway, she wants to get married bad...I don't think she's the one either.

Actually I think I know that girl! :-)

Another great story...why is it that kids always pick the ones we don`t want for them. I entertained the thought at one time about offering money to a certain someone too.. just to go away and dissapear. Didn`t happen..lol

Hi Lynne,Enjoyed your new page on Little Missy.Goodness no she would not have been a very good wife for Adam, sure hope he didn't end up with her...Goodness NO

Whoa, does Little Missy ever sound familiar .. one of my sons married one and , sigh ... 'nuff said!

I am sure a lot of people will identify with this also. Guess we were lucky in that both our kids asked our opinions before making final mate choices. In both cases I think their minds were made up anyway.

I didn`t "approve" of either one of my kids mates that they chose...LOL...One worked out beautifully...the other hasn`t. Like you said Gloria...their minds were probably made up anyway.

Is this what I will have to go through a few years from now when my sons are ready to pick their wives? :-)

I`m anxiously waiting for the next chapter Lynne...to see if you had any influence with Adam about little Missy...:-)

It is funny how lives are similar when you are a MOM

Oh my, sounds like one of my daughter in laws , sigh.

Guess I'm one of the lucky ones! both my daughter-in-laws are great, and even if I had not approve, they wouldn't have listened!

I don't know why but my sons all had the rotenest taste in women.. My youngest sons wife won't come to see us. Since the oldest was 9 moths old, he makes the 7 hr trip alone with the baby, He comes 3 or 4 times a year and now brings them both, they are now 4 and5. The only time he hasn't brought them was once for medical emergency.. She is friendly on the fone and is (cool) cordial when we go up there, but know she would rather we didn't bother !!! Yes, he was anxious for us to meet her, but we didn't make very good impression either direction..

Just reread Little Missy, so will spout some more about my dil. She hates sports of any kind, He is scuba diver, skier, loves to swim and loves baseball and football, hiking and camping, etc.. She hates to shop, he used to love going with me. Shehates house work, he hates dirty house, so he cleans. She hates cooking and says she CAN/'T.. He has always loved to cook, we used to have such fum improvising..Guess who cooks... Never see any warmth.. She brushes your cheek and kisses the air.....She is a good mother and I have very sweet granddaughters,, So keep telling myself to not be tooo hard on her, she must be doing something right!!LOL

I have been a lucky one. Guess they grow good in laws in South Dakota. Dan has been very good to our daughter Gretchen and we told our son Will (jesting of course) that if he and Lori ever should broke up we would keep Lori.

am hanging on the edge of my chair, did Adam marry her?? Oh! how I wish we could pick for them or do I?

Lynne, being the mother of two boys, I can only hope and pray that their choice in mate meets my expectation. I often think of how I treat my mother-in-law, hoping that they will see my example and remember me when they grow up and leave the home, taking home a bride of their own. It is a very scary thought. I can just picture laying in bed, wanting to pay off my boy's future bride to get out of the picture! That is so funny!

CHAPTER 4 - IF I HAD A HAMMER

Wes, the rascal~ checking out your legs. Yep, MEN! LOL.

There was a time in the early 70's when there was an oversupply of teachers. Wayne and I found it hard to find a place where both of us could teach. We did find a situation in a small town in Nebraska and stayed there 3 years till we moved here without me having a teaching job. I worked at this and that and finally got a job with the postal service. That worked out okay as the pay was better than the other jobs I had been doing and I could go there, work hard, but come home and not have lesson plans grading and the like to do.

At least you have good legs! Mine closely resemble tree trunks!

CHAPTER 5 - OCEAN CITY, NEW JERSEY

He wrote your name in the sand...that is the BEST part of this chapter! I felt sad that you'd never had a vacation, but how special to share your very first one with Wes. What a neat guy you've got!

LOL it is never too late to learn to swim and may come in handy one day. It is not that difficult

this was so romantic and I loved the pictures!!

sounds like you had a great time,even though you got your feet burnt :-(

Bet it was fun!!!All but the sunburned feet!!!I loved the music in this page. Love Letters In The Sand brought back some memories for me .

Hi Lynne, I enjoyed the vacation. Too bad you had to go barefoot

This was a good part of your life!

I’m glad you enjoyed your first vacation, even though it was a painful one with your feet getting sunburn. You don’t say what year this was ? and did you ever learn to swim? Adding the photo’s of you and Wes and the one with your name wrote in the sand was a great idea

CHAPTER 6 - SUNSHINE AND A RED TOYOTA

My Toyota isn't red, but I too enjoy it when the sun shines, especially after a few days of below freezing weather

You are absolutely right about being shocked when the boss etc doesn't think you are the greatest thing since sliced bread! I like the saying, (attributed to Christ but I don't know who attributed it to Him) "I never said it would be easy. I only said it would be worth it." Hard to remember that all the time, but if we can only hang on to that thought whenever times get hard, times would be a lot easier on us!

Your situation, reminded me of my Mothers, when I was a young lad. She had three children and her Father who was totally blind to look after, and two houses to keep clean, thankfully they were next door to one another. She would go out working all day, in her dinner break she would come home and make some dinner for her Father, and us children. I now know these were hard times for my Mother, but me being a child, I did not realise then, how much she did, and what sacrifices she made for us all.

Makes you wonder what the world will become with our youngsters coming along today. They have no clue

I sure enjoyed "Sunshine and a Red Toyota." God was watching over you for sure.

I agree so much with what you said about life being hard. I remember what my mother-in-law told me once. She said, "People are never truly happy until they realize that they must be happy with what has been given to them...that life is hard and was not supposed to be easy. We will always have our troubles, it's how we deal with them that makes the difference." Or something like that. So true!!!

It is so true - the younger ones see minor problems as big mountains! They haven't start living yet.

CHAPTER 7 - PATSY CLINE

like this Page just a few days ago I downloaded a lot of Patsy's music and put it on cd's so I can hear it when I am driving around I will never forget her and her voice she sang so beautiful - I love the story of you going to her show and watching your girls bet it was enjoyable

Lynne...sounds like you ladies all had a blast at the Patsy Cline show...thank for sharing your fun evening with us

Sometimes our adult children do us proud. Makes you think it might all have been worthwhile, doesn't it

I could feel the love, joy and awe as you watched the girls enjoy themselves. Life is so precious, and you have captured the essence of it

I too "Fall to Pieces" when I read your stories, their great & if I were a betting person I'd lay odds that you too clapped & let out a yell or three.

How well I can relate to this story, sweet angel. Our daughter was just tiny when Patsy left this world. I can just picture you & yours toe~tappin' and yeehawin'

I too had a wonderful time at the Patsy Cline dinner theatre. What a blessing it is to read what you wrote and how special it was to you. I have to say that the parts I loved best about the show were when "Patsy" was singing "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" and I looked over and saw my mom smiling and heard her singing along. What a treasure it was to hear my mom's sweet voice once again raised in song to the Lord! It's been years since I stood next to her when I was a child, listening to her sing while at service. A voice lifted in song and praise to the Lord is a wonderful thing, but it's a double blessing when it belongs to someone you love

CHAPTER 8 - MOTHER PAIN

I'm going through this right now, so it really hit home with me. Pain is the right word alright!

That pain of letting go - there's nothing else quite like it. We sure wouldn't want them to be dependent on us forever, but the alternative isn't easy to handle either.

Lynne this really touches close to home for me. I have one son that just left and another son that is 15 and starting to spread his wings.

Wonderful story, Lynne. I remember when my girls would walk a few steps behind me while shopping, so people wouldn't know we were together. LOL

Great chapter Lynne..:-) I don`t remember my kids pulling away so much, even though they must have...just did it sneaky...lol

FIRST.. Love the set you picked.. :O) SECOND.. been there done that.. I am sure I did it to my Mom but I would have to think about it.... But my youngest really went through a don't hug me mom stage.. She never was a cuddling kid.. Now we have the challenge when she comes home of who lets go first.. I love those bear hugs

So what I am saying is that is hard to go through that stage of life but in away it makes us cherish the ones that come after it.

Oh, yes, I can identify with this chapter! My kids are now 35 and nearly 31...part of me (the old grey part) is very glad they are out on their own now and that I no longer have to fight with them. But the other part of me (the Mom part) misses them like crazy!

Lynne, today in church Joey was sitting on my lap, holding on for me for dear life. Mitch was sitting next to me and I thought to myself, "Treasure this because soon they won't want to sit with you." Then I read my email this afternoon and read your own reflections between generations. It will break my heart...I know it will. I'm not looking forward to this at all!!!

Lynne, with "Mother Pain" you hit the nail on the head...I'm going through this now with my youngest it is both terrible and wonderful

We're all sad when we lose our children, but we need to remember -- we don't lose a son or daughter, we gain either a daughter or a son (wive or husband) -- Ain't God Great?

Well you did it again Lynne. As you know William is about to go off to college, as I am experiencing all the joy and pangs of his growing up. He long since stopped sitting next to me in church opting to sit w/ his teen friends. And God forbid I talk to him after church while he's "socializing" except to ask for money . Then of course I worry abot whether he's mature enough to be on his own. Will he be able to stand up to peer pressure and make the right Godly decisions? Will he manage his time well enough to excel in his academics? Will he get along with his roommate? The questions go on and on. The one thing that is good is that we have a heavenly Father that is all wise and all knowing and who sees all and is here and there at the same time. That is my only one confidence.

Letting go - it is so difficult. First college and then the world. Now that they are older and married we have come closer again and I can ruffle their hair, sometimes.

Hi Lynne, Boy can i see how much I miss in my life without Childrens...but I guess that's life.My mom and I never did see eye to eye on nothing, but as she got older I was her right hand for her doing all that had to be done and today I wish I could go back and do them all again for her. So love them now before it become too late and can't

. I know I too had "issues" with my mom as I grew up. But, now that I'm a mom and grandmother, I understand much more what she was going through and a lot of her personal pain. We are such good friends now and the love between us grows stronger every day. Thanks for giving us a push toward forgiving and honoring our parents.

Ah Lynne! You have the sweetest way of pulling out the tender feelings. I have been through exactly that with my own four, but now I get to sit next to THEIR kids...well some of them. Today as I rubbed little Jacob's back and ruffled his hair and next to me was his little brother on grandpa's lap, giving him a big hug I looked across at their daddy, my little Paul, holding his baby girl...I remembered holding him. Seems like yesterday. I do remember stomping around - mad at my mom over some dumb thing. We never did hug, and even now - we want to, and find it hard. So we lavish it on the little ones, and maybe we'll learn to hug each other more, before it's too late.

CHAPTER 9 - MAKE THE WORLD GO AWAY

Beaten with an umbrella, OUCH, that must have hurt poor Mum…I bet she didn’t lose any more dimes after that. With bearing and struggling to bring up 15 children, and being so poor Mutter sure must have had a rough time of it, no wonder she walked out for a few weeks. No doubt the family came to appreciate her more when she returned.

Thanks for giving us something to read besides war issues. This was great as usual. I can definitely imagine with 15 kids she would have to escape or explode. I felt like that a lot and only had two.

I know my Mom broke and looking back, I can see why. I guess I am finally old enough to see thru my Mom's eyes.

Can you imagine having 15 children???????????????????

I surely enjoyed reading about your "Mutter" and "Tudaddy", Lynne. She had MORE than a "bad hair day" when she packed her ditty bag & took a breather

I ONLY had two - - can you imagine how we would react?? :-) S'pse have 4 or so, a mama becomes 'worn down?' -- Bet she does if the kids just STEP OVER HER!

My mother had 5, but it was more than she could handle. So I was determined to have less than 5.

Know some wonderful mothers that had several and did a superb job; but 4 was plenty for me, thank you very much.

I really don't know how the moms do it now a-days. My sancuary was the bathroom. I would go in there and pull my apron up over my head. What can they do now? NO APRONS!!!

Can't you just see my momma? She gave birth to 13 and three didn't make it through the first year for one reason or another. The 10 that survived got along pretty well. My oldest brother went into the army when he was 20 years old for three years. then three years later. the next oldest brother joined the Marines with four of his buddies. Pre-war Oklahoma didn't show much promise of a good job. So the military got a lot of the cream of the crop. (If the CCC didn't get them first.) She coped just fine at refereeing fights among those left at home. More than a few of us got our butts busted, for being naughty to one another. She reminds me of the song that Merle Haggard sings, "Mama's Hungry eyes"

My Momma & my Nanna were very poor also. But they didn't have hungry eyes. They had hope to the end that someday their 'ship would come in'. It never docked, unfortunately. But at least they believed it would; so they never got discouraged. Well, I take that back! Maybe it did dock. Cause no matter how little they had; they always had an abundance to 'share' with anyone and everyone. I used to laugh at my Momma's CARE PACKAGES when I was younger. I now see them as proof of her love and generous heart. (But I have to admit some of them were pretty funny. She would just scout the house to see what she could find to fill up every little corner of those boxes. No styrofoam peanuts needed. She just packed them tightly with 'stuff'.)

CHAPTER 10 - ILSA'S HOUSE

It is so sad - and unfortunately so true. My mother had to leave her big house with years of treasures and move into an assisted living facility. She said she was "choking". Everything so small. She died not long after.

It is so sad that a lot of ours lives will come down to almost nothing and very sad that our own lives prevent us from helping her and others like her.

Goodness do this page bring back memories of when my mom & dad had to sell their large house and move into something small and it just broke my mom's heart. She had to give aways so much of their things so to fix into that small apartment...this page just broke my heart

did feel sorry for Ilsa. I know that's so hard on some, but I was ready for it and material possessions never meant a lot to me. I have some treasured things that were handed down from my grandma that I love but I have always said, there is nothing I couldn't leave behind if I had to.

I am happy you got to see Mom and Dad's page they were both my sweetest joy, Mom moved in with me after Dad went to be with our Lord, she gave all her and Dad had to my sister and moved in with me she was one that could not stand being alone, and her and me had always been so close, I enjoyed having her with us, she went home to be with our Lord July 7t/1999 and I still miss her.

Sis, I have cried as I read this one and thought..you are so right, somethimes it's so hard to do what has to be done from day to day. Did Isla move into the tiny apartment?

Didn`t she have family members that could help her and did she have to move into that tiny apartment after all?

Hi Lynne, once again, I can definitely relate to this. I am so thankful to still have my hubby but 11 years ago we sold everything and moved into a small apt. I was not sad to get out of that big house at all. The most important things were gone. Our children. I gave them all they wanted that we couldn't take and kept a few small treasures and I am quite happy here. Not a lot of cleaning to do, no yard to care for, it's great! I do see how it can be very sad for some though and it's a great story

Oh Lynne - - I have watched my Gramma Emily, and both my parents walk this walk... :-( I was just thinking with my dad = we first have a crib, then a room, then a house, then back to a smaller house, then a room, and finally ?? a bed. We begin life equal to all / and we end life equal to all.

This one breaks my heart and it probably did yours! Too many sweet little people caught in this situation. I know lots of adult "kids" who are also having to make the decision for their aging parents and it's SO hard

That was so hard on my mom, to have to move from her house to the one bedroom in my sister's house. Kinda makes me not want to get so attached to the stuff I have in this house. Cept maybe the computer and the tv and the genealogy.

This story reminded me so much of granny~ Her treasures she loved so much was never sold but given to family~ Now i see my treasures and think"Someday".

CHAPTER 11 - WILD WOMAN

I think we all know people like this, that just "don't get it". You wonder what the rest of the story was for Carla. What kind of childhood did she have - why did she feel she had to rebel aghainst everything. She may have had wonderful, loving parents and maybe not. Some people seem to come "programmed" like that. I wonder if she was ever really happy.

I think we all know women or men like Carla. Unfortunately, they start using drugs early, which arrests their maturity growth, and they stay with the attitude of 12-15 year old kids for the rest of their lives...everything that goes wrong with them is someone else's fault, never theirs. Then one day they find themselves in prison. I have a nephew just released from prison (not jail) last Dec...drugs, of course. He is 40 years old. Hopefully he has finally learned his lesson...so far, so good.

my hubby and I are the only friends he has in this world. He has never married and can't keep a girlfriend and he's not that bad looking but he sure has an attitude. And you are so right, we can't reach these kind of people no matter how hard we try.

This is a sad one I have known a few like this Gal , know a couple of them right now and nothing you can say will change them but when I see them I do try to encourage them - such a waste seems like losing someone like this when you knew them --

Wild Woman is a heart breaking chapter...what a lost and lonely soul she must have been...

We have all known one of these independent spirits in our life time. Some of us have even 'raised' one or two. LOL

that is so sad. She didn't even get a chance to see her way of thinking was all wrong. Are all these new chapters going to be in a second book?

Oh wow...an unexpecting ending Lynne for me. I wonder if she would have changed if it hadn`t come to this end...hmmm Love your background set..you did it your way...WTG!

It is so sad, when a person thinks they are such a free spirit, that they don't have to conform to nature's laws, along with God's laws, to let it rule your life, instead of drugs and alcohol. Too soon they are taken, before they realize the consequences, of their actions.

I had a high school friend that sounds a lot like the girl in your story. Another sad story. :-(

CHAPTER 12 - FAST FOOD

My grandson was here today and he told me about a little woman who came in, or drove through, everyday when he worked at Wendy's and bought a plain hamburger for 1.40. He found out she was buying it for her dog so he asked the manager if he could sell her only the meat as she threw the bun away. The manager said O. K. so, he sold her the meat for 80 cents from then on. I bet that was one happy dog. Not too sure how healthy though

One day a young man came into my Dad's grocery store & bought a pack of cigarettes, game my Mom a dollar got his cigarettes & his change & walked across the street & sat on the steps. When Mom went in back of the store to fix dinner he came in asking for the lady who short-changed him. He said he gave her a twenty dollar bill. I was home on leave at the time & was setting behind Mom when this happened. I told the young man he had only given my Mother a one dollar bill & I was not going to give him any more money. Dad came up front (he was the butcher) & said give it to him. Then Mom came up & said "No" he had only given her a one dollar bill. After awhile this young man said he would call the police, well I did it for him & when the officer came in my Mom, bless her soul, told the officer if there was a twenty dollar bill in the cash register the young man could have it. Mom turned out to be the smart one, she knew there wasn't a twenty dollar bill there. Later we found out this young man had pulled this same trick all over town & had been arrested.

One of the things that, sadly, goes with rudeness is carelessness. The same youngsters could care less if they got your order right or not.

I don't know what has happened to manners, and also the slogan "The Customer Is Always Right".

know I would have been mad like Wes was, I don’t like to pay for something I don’t get,so I would have stuck it out and waited to see the manager queue or no queue, if I was going to lose out so was Bill Gray’s.

great. and so true. now me i would have asked for the manager and made a true scene; and then found another joint to buy burgers.

can't tell you how many times that has happened to us. Now we never leave the window or counter before checking our change and our order

CHAPTER 13 - MOM'S STORIES

I am still laughing. Life is wonderful and yes, a bit crazy! LOL

Isn't it amazing just how strange some people are. I guess the world would be boring without them

Guess they don't want to lock people up anymore for being nuts. Too many out running the streets!

Guess we all have odd balls in our family heritage

CHAPTER 13 - MOM'S STORIES

I think all families have their stories to tell. The problem is getting someont to listen to them. When you are young you are not interested and by the time you are, they have forgotten so much.

I love going on drives with my Mom around her old stomping grounds.

My Mom didn't have too many stories to tell, but LOTS of superstitions!

I remember my mother talking about the crossed silverware andthe rocking chair being empty...about itchy palms and ears. I remember that during a thunderstorm, she would make everybody sit on a pillow in the middle of the floor holding a needle. It was supposed to keep lightning from striking them.

Don't step on a crack, it will break your mother's back.

All Mom's have stories to tell. My Mom told about how she use to walk with her head held high until one day her Mother said Thelma look what you just stepped over -- it was a snake. Mom said after that she always looked at where she was walking.

I loved the stories about the family. It was too bad about Grandpa's dad and how Grandma felt. It's strange how we do the things that we think are right only to regret them in time when we get a little older and wiser and experienced life a little more.

Isn't it wonderful how Moms can tell these little tidbits? A right mixture of happy and sad stories. A genealogist's delight!

This was so funny, your Uncle getting bonked in the head with a skillet! But it had sad parts, too, especially about the little girl who couldn't make a fuss.

..was reading the Chapter 13, and things sure were hard at that time, hard to believe kids were kept outside etc. Perhaps there were many reasons different things happened. I enjoyed the chapter, laughed a little, and felt sorry for them a little

CHAPTER 14 - DOWN SYNDROME

I thank my lucky stars that I never had to make that decision to carry a deformed child and that the choice was not made for me by my bearing a child with special needs and not knowing about it

Hard to type with tears in my eyes, Lynne. You did what you were supposed to. You shared her pain, saw her courage, lifted her burden and spirits for at least the time you chatted (and maybe for much longer).

I don't think I could handle it.

Ihave seen how people can be so unfair to someone with Down Syndrome....like if they can help what they have any more then I could help having Arthritis. I have one nephew that was born with a health problems that he will never out grown and need to be in a home for his problems but my brother will not hear of it.The child is his grandson and now he is a man it so hard to handle him.His mom will not ever try to help with him.My brother and his wife is both in their 70's and God I can't help but wonder what will happen to him when they both die. So many sad story like this on your page and so many people looking down at these special childrens and young people.My heart goes out to them and my nephew. My nephew is a beautiful young man but not able to think for himself.I can't understand nothing he try to tell me, nothing and poor darling he try so hard but still can't he has a mind of a very little child...

I worry too what she will do when he outgrows her and she no longer can carry him - stressful thoughts. If I could, I would give her a big hug from me.

I always find it amazing that for most of us, God gives us the strength to handle even the worst of problems.

Oh my, what an emotional read that was. Bless her heart, and yours. I have a nephew with spinal bifida and he gets those looks too. He is now 21 and the torso grew to that age while the waist down looks like a small child. Some people just don't know how to deal with such things, lets hope they at least count their blessings.

What a sad story Lynne. It amazes me how people can be so cruel to others. She was not bothering anyone and doing the best she could. Bless her for at least taking Bobby out and around.

I also have a friend that has a daughter with downs syndrome. The dr tried to get her to put her in a home when she was just an infant. Her mom said no way, she was her daughter and she would look after her. Angie has gone all the way thru school and on to college to learn to live on her own.

The summer my daughter turned 12 she volunteered 3 days a week to go with a neighbor who ran a special school to mentally challenged children.. She had 4 students that were Down syndrome and as such no one expected anything from the, so Alice gave them to Karen to "play" with.. Karen just loved them all and they quickly responded, during the summer she spent her meager allowance on them,, , bought candles and taught them how toblow, bought hair brushes and taught them to brush their own hair, and even let them brush hers, taught them to tie their shoes, don't remember all-- but parents all loved her too and was so delighted to see that with love and patience they could learn, if even the smll things..

We should count our blessings...wow, your lovely friend must have so much love for her son and determination too. I hope she has help with him Lynne....as you thought, he will grow taller and then what, how can she carry him? I wonder if her husband helps her.

My heart goes out to her. These mom's have a huge job taking care of their "forever babies". How can people be so cruel. If they would ever get to know a Downs person they would know how very sweet and loving they are. My niece has little Jefferson, her first child born with Downs - who is now about 3. He is such a darling, loving little guy and has learned LOTS. She has a new baby girl on the way. Allen has a cousin, Scotty, who is Downs. He is probably 40 years old. He goes to work each day, and participates in Scouting, and lots of other things. He still lives with his mom. I know she worries about what will happen to him when she isn't here any more. His father has already passed away. I think the brothers and sisters will take him. Sad but sweet story, Lynne.

I can't believe how cruel people can be...

Sometimes you just want to shake people out of their boots ... When my son first moved to Atlanta he volunteered with a group called HAPI. Can't remember anymore what the acronym stands for, but it's a group helping mentally challenged young people to have a social life. They went on all sorts of activities, including boating, picnics, dress-up dances, etc., and John says it still ranks as one of the greatest blessings he's ever had, working and playing with all those kids. Some of the "kids" were older than he was, but children forever ...

Many years ago Dale Evans wrote a book ~ "Angels Unaware" ~ oh ~ the love in that book! It surely opened my eyes to the sweet mercies of our Father, toward these "special angels" !

I HAD A TEAR IN MY EYE; AND I DO WONDER WHO WILL TAKE CARE OF HER LITTLE BOY WHEN SHE'S GONE.

That is sad to read. One of my granddaughters is a Down syndrome child. Skylar is just four years old. My daughter and SIL are wonderful parents to her and all of us consider her a real blessing in our lives. She goes to a special school for learning disabled children. Thought I'd post this picture of her and two other Down syndrome friends who were at a party last Saturday for Skylar and her sister Peyton who just turned two. Tricia, on the left is just two and lives across the cul de sac from Skylar. Katy, in the middle, attends the same school. (They were about to leave, so she was in a stroller...Party was at the Zoo). She is three now. All these children are happy, playful little girls. Skylar is on TNI, Targeted Nutritional Intervention, a special vitamin and enzyme supplement for Down children that seems to help a lot. Instead of stares, we hear more compliments about what a pretty, sweet girl she is.

WE DO NOT STOP TO THINK HOW LUCKY WE ARE TO HAVE HEALTHY CHILDREN

I have a son named Paul who had his 26th b-day last month.He also has Down Syndrome but is fortunate to be fairly independent. He feeds the cats & dogs,sweeps the pool,takes out the house trash (changes the plastic liner better than Dad) puts out the "big" trash at the curb, empties the dishwasher , sets the table according to the menu.All this he does without reminding! M-F he works at a workshop 2 days he is driven to a small Mexican place were he peels chilies to make salsa ,3 days he packages toilet parts and is totally in charge of delivering and retrieving the mail twice each day for his company in the industrial complex. In the eve he attends an adult group M&W -bowling and cooking or out to eat, tues.he goes to a dinner/ Bible study/ choir practice ,thurs. he is part of a Musical Theater group, fri he attends a social group that do numerous activities ,sat. he goes to Special Olympic training-bowling or basketball in the AM and varied activities in the PM. He goes camping 2-3 times a year and we realize just how much we depend on him . So ya see there are happy stories too!

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