[Magdalen] Quiet Pub

[Esther Williamson]

The foster child that we (my first husband and I) adopted was 
represented by the first CASA worker in Roanoke. I cannot say enough 
good things about the program. These workers do not take sides with the 
parents, the foster parents, or the agencies. They are completely 
advocates for the child.

I have been quiet lately as I try to figure out my health problems and 
contemplate future living arrangements. I had a PET scan yesterday and 
will get the results tomorrow. I am still living alone with much help 
from my children but feel that I am unfair to rely so much on them. 
After two nasty falls last week - one at 2:00 in the morning which 
necessitated waking a daughter to help me up I am using the power chair 
more and more. Since the chair doesn't fit into the bathroom and my 
kitchen is not made for cooking etc. from a chair something will have to 
change.

Esther

On 12/14/2016 10:32 AM, Jay Weigel wrote:
> I don't know how you feel about children in general, Scott, but there are
> always organizations like Big Brothers, CASA (which is a child advocacy
> organization for kids in the court system and foster care), and various
> organizations within the churches that can help you find children to help
> make Christmas wonderful for (and other days, too). I've been considering
> getting involved with CASA, which stands for court appointed special
> advocate, I think. I have a friend in Tennessee who does that. My
> grandchildren are far enough away that I don't see them often enough, and I
> miss kids. I'm now too old for Big Sisters.
>
> On Wed, Dec 14, 2016 at 9:45 AM, Scott Knitter <scottknitter at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I'm managing to avoid, mostly, my annual "holiday season" severe
>> doldrums. I seem to get feelings of needing to be busy with
>> preparations but I haven't actually done a lot of holiday stuff for
>> years. Yet the feelings of needing to do them and fearing resentment
>> and judgment (from whom?) persist. I'm thinking it's akin to how I get
>> that happy "snow day" feeling when there's a huge snowfall and schools
>> are closed. I don't get a day off work, but the same feeling is still
>> there from when I prayed fervently at the radio to hear the name of
>> our school district. :)
>>
>> Childhood Christmas was so wonderful because we had off from school
>> and didn't have to do much except play and get presents, right? And
>> now it's our turn to make Christmas wonderful. But without children,
>> there's not a great deal to be done (just for young nieces and
>> nephews, a gift and presence).
>>
>> I'm more nervous about my mom's 80th birthday party on January 14 in
>> Michigan. My brothers and I are hosting a dinner with family and
>> friends at a restaurant private dining room. It's nearly all set up,
>> but heaven forbid I should wake up at night and start thinking about
>> it. Always something to stir the anxiety pot...
>>
>> --
>> Scott R. Knitter
>> Edgewater, Chicago, Illinois USA
>>