Two Steps Forward; One Step Backwards

It has been a year since my Mom's attack. It is also Thanksgiving weekend when thoughts of family are at the fore-front of our minds. During my visit with mom she shared that she had left a message on the attacker's home phone.

Message was, "I miss you and I forgive you." She now is getting hang-up calls!

This is not progress and definitely not safe for my mother. I strongly urged her to stop dancing with the danger that this presents for her.

My dismay with her is greater than she can imagine!

Toilet Talk

The following conversation occurred in a restroom at intermission of a Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, and Zakir Hussain concert.

"Dad, is Zakir Hussain really the best tabla player in the world?"
"Yes son, he is world famous and one of the very best. He comes all the way from India."
"Son, what is the tall instrument in the middle of the stage called?
"Dad, I don't know."

I chimed in, "it is a string bass."
Dad responds, "a string bass, is that what you said?"
"Yes, a string bass."
"Oh, thank you."

"And what is the little string instrument called?"
"That is a banjo."
"A banjo?"
"Yes, a banjo."
"Thank you, Sir."
"Sure, you're welcome."

As I leave the restroom I hear, "see son, we have even been more enriched this evening!"

It is true that music brings us all together!

Making Headway In Life

Aging is not for sissies nor for the faint of heart.  My mother is a fine example. Since her ordeal of uprootedness, she has endured health issues that have left her partially blind in one eye.  In spite of this setback, she is in good spirits and has celebrated her 87th birthday.

At her new residence she played for the month of March birthdays.  Imagine having to play for your own party?  She was such a hit that they asked her to play again the following week for another party.  Mom and her 81-year-old brother provided the residents an hour and a half program of music.  Mom's brother brought two electronic keyboards for the performance.  Their song list included, popular songs, hymns, and audience requests.  Once again another community learns about the incredible talents of a very frail, but ferociously spirited woman.

Yoorah for the human spirit; Yoorah for MOM!!! 

A Place Called Home

On January 7th, 2011, my 86-year-old mother signed a lease and received her keys to a place that she now calls home.  The past eight weeks have not been easy, nor will the comimg weeks ahead be easy.  But, mom now has her place and that is good. On the 8th of January I helped her move and unpack and find places for her things within her apartment. She is a long ways from being moved in, but the "now" process is good for her mental health.

Besides moving and becoming more comfortable in her new place, mom and I wrote a certified response to the certified letter writer.

Unnamed source,
Property Manager and former spouse of unnamed family member

Dear Unnamed:

Thank you for the short notice for getting my things out of the house.  In response to your letter, I had my pastor arrange a time to pick up my artifacts.

On January,7th, 2011, I went to the house at (undisclosed address) to claim the last of my personal effects. At this time, whatever remains in the house is nothing more than the remnants of broken promises and other detritus matter.

The home owner and former spouse of unnamed source, unnamed family member, bears sole and full financial and legal obligations of said property, (undisclosed address).

Regards,
Mom

Realization

My 86-year-old mother called today to inform me that the locks on her dwelling of forty plus years have been changed.  She asked, "what is going to happen to my things still in the house?"  I said that they now belonged to the person who now owns the house.  Her reply, "they stole my things."  My response, "they stole your house."

"I made a mistake when I signed over the house," mom said.  I asked, "didn't you know that when you do somethings in secret that it may be your first clue that it is not the right thing to do?"  Her reply, "I made a very,very big mistake!"

Yes Mom, I am truly very sorry.

Goodness vs. Good People

I called my 86-year-old mother Saturday morning to wish her a Happy New Year. Her voice was strong as well as her spirits. She shared an event with me that had not to date been shared.

She recounted that at the time that her attacker was in jail, the person responsible for sending the certified letter had paid her a visit at her favorite restaurant. During this encounter, this unexpected visitor tried to tell mom that she need not be afraid and that there was absolutely no reason for leaving the house that she had lived in for forty plus years.

Mother's quick response was, "I have every reasons to be afraid and fear for my life living in that house."

Mom said to me that after receiving the certified letter she realizes that the random acts of goodness from her attacker and letter sender were not the same as being good people.

Incredulous

Incredulous I am not!  I spoke to my older brother today and learned that our 86-year-old mother received a certified letter from the family member who this past November recently threatened her.  The content of the letter informed her that what had once been her home was now going to become rental property in January of 2011.  It also informed her that if there were any items still in the house that she wanted, she would need to remove them immediately.

Okay, "thanks" for the warning.  The letter also stated that they wanted her to pay the property taxes that were due earlier during December of 2010.  Yes, this is the same house that she does not own.  Yes, this is the same house that she was threatened to be kicked out of if she honored the subpoena and testified in court regarding a case the city had filed against the respective family member.  Yes, this is the same house where her life was threatened.  Yes, this is the same house that present owner said once she and dad signed the house over to them, that she and/or dad could live out their remaining years.

Hooray for the certified letter!  Can there be any greater proof of evil-intent towards our mother?  Hooray for the certified letter!  Can there be any greater proof that my mother's testimony is not to be questioned?

AND

yes, hooray for the certified letter, it has enraged my dear mother and has clarified succinct for her the abuse she has endured from her abuser. Oh thank you sender of the certified letter, your work has surgically cut the strings of confusion and disbelief.

$#*^@*# believe it!!