It's been a long while but...

It's been a long while writing in this blog, but I guess, when life is going good, we tend to forget our readers and those who are looking for answers. Mike is doing well-- in fact, better than well. He has been moved to another facility, one that gives him more room to grow. I visit just about every week, even though it's farther away; about another half hour. His sister went with me last week and finally was able to see for herself how wonderful he is. It is our Mike--he laughs, jokes, hugs, showers, and yes, he even shaves when he's in the mood. He is excited, because he gets to meet his nephews for the first time. The other facility would not allow children and the boys are just a little over a year old now. Mike is so concerned about them being scared, he's shaving his beard, and trimming his mustache. I will be happier, when he recognizes that the medication is working. For right now, he does not think so, but I can tell you, they are! It's wonderful to look into his eyes and see my baby again, to know that his wonderful warm light shines through. I really thought, I would never see my baby again. There is hope, what we need now is the Mental Health System to be re-vamped so that others can get this help that is desperatly needed. Too many lives are lost, not just because of lack of gun control, but rather the lack of available services out there. This was a seven year process! The Drugs are hit and miss, and a mere 72 hour hold is NEVER enough time to either find the right medications or give the person time to level up. I was talking to a couple who has been dealing with the same situation for fifty years! Some families simply give up, they burn out, and finaly circum to watching their child go to the streets, never knowing if they are alive and well, or have died. I know it's not any easy burden, I too have been frustrated beyond belief; no matter what, he is my baby! Giving up is never an option. They need our love, support, and reasurence-- they need that connection to the real world, even if it looks as if they have no idea what the real world is! When Mike was in the other facility, I would add some of his fellow residents to the visits, sometimes there would be upword of seven, not counting Mike on the visit. These wonderful warm loving people craved attention, love, and outside influence. Sometimes, I was all they had. It saddens me to see them all waiting, wanting, and lonely. I would provide treats, sodas, little trinkets like books, or magazines and cigarettes-- the mentally ill SMOKE-- that's all they have to look forward to is smoke breaks. I am so grateful my son, Mike is doing better, and worried for his future too. I pray someday we can transisiton him into his own appartment, under the watchful eyes of a professional-- that's my dream. But for now, this will do, he is safe, he feels safe, and all we have in life is hope.