Jake Smith, Suicide by Cancer

Jake killed himself. He set it up perfectly. He took care of every detail. He took his brother out to eat the night before.
He cuddled up with his mom, my friend Lori. He pet his doggie Brody, had a picture taken with him.
He entered his bedroom and shot himself.
 Jacob J. Andrew Smith

Funeral Service
Friday, Feb 19, 2016
1:00 PM

Jacob J. Andrew Smith
Born: May 06, 1998
Died: February 13, 2016

Send Flowers
Jacob “Jake” J. Andrew Smith, age 17, of Charlotte, formerly of Ithaca passed away Saturday, February 13, 2016. Jake was born May 6, 1998 in Alma the son of Bradley and Lori (Brecht) Smith. He attended Ithaca Schools until 2012 when they moved to Charlotte. While in Ithaca he enjoyed playing basketball and football. Jake was currently a junior at Grand Ledge High School.

Jake enjoyed playing his guitar and video games. He had a passion for supporting his cancer families that were challenged with childhood diagnosis.

Jake is survived by his parents, Bradley and Lori Smith of Charlotte, his brother, Joshua Smith of Charlotte, his maternal grandparents, Jerry and Sharon Brecht of Riverdale, his paternal grandparents, Clayton and Patricia Smith of Dewitt, his aunts and uncles, Jodi (Ross) Jeffrey of Webberville, Gregory (Melisa) Smith of Flushing, Mark (Terri) Brecht of Riverdale, Jeff (Sheri) Brecht of Elwell and many loving cousins.

A celebration of Jacob’s life will be held on Friday, February 19, 2016 at 1 pm at the First Church of God in Alma with Pastor Steve Wimmer officiating. Interment will follow in Sumner Center Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday from 12 pm until the time of services at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pleural Pulmonary Blastoma Research, 111 Michigan Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20010 or at www.ppbgeneticstudy.org.

To view Jake’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.luxfuenralhomes.com

SERVICES
Funeral Service
Friday, February 19, 2016
1:00 PM

First Church of God
200 W. Superior
Alma, Michigan 48801

The aftermath as in any unexpected death is worse when it is suicide. The "why's"  take over, the How could I have knowns, what could I have done differently will haunt a family until the end of their days.
Jakes funeral brought together a group of people who had at one time been very close through small groups that met weekly. Lori and I bonded over a statement that I drank alcohol in a predominantly Baptist non-drinking environment. 
Even writing this years later (It is 2020 now) I remember you.
I remember how you were in the very same emergency room as my daughter Joy Linn. Both of you had what we thought was pneumonia, but yours was much worse. The cancer had invaded the lining of your lung. The years of treatment took it out of you. Your parents fought for your life.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-8255

• suicidepreventionlifeline.org

High School Suicide

https://www.charlesrlux.com/obituaries/Jordan-Elise-Rae?obId=12227283#/obituaryInfo


I didn't know this young 16 years old who ended her life. By accounts, she had been researching how to suicide for a couple months. She was very popular and beautiful. She was on the competitive cheer team, and many extracurricular activities. Her stepmom passed away and her mom is hospitalized for undisclosed mental health issues. I may not have all the details correct.
What should have been a small event took over. She 'got caught', aka, willingly took the fall for a couple friends and herself with vaping pens. Vaping is a newer electronic way to smoke or use "dab", oil-based marijuana. Reports are that one of the girls involved told the hall monitor (Her sister) about the girls in the bathroom. Her father, a professional immigrant from South Africa was brought to the school. She went home and was in her room when her dad went fully off on her, screaming and yelling how she had "disgraced" the family. He is from a very shame-based society. While he left her room to cook dinner, she went out to the garage and hung herself. Her dad, looking for her, couldn't find her, called several friends to see if she had been picked up. He later found her, cut her down and tried to do CPR.
Her funeral was a huge deal at the Potter's House Church where she attended. The local High School where she attended class, adjusted exams for the entire school, and released kids for the day.
All of this is horribly sad. A life cut down, lost opportunity, a community grieving.

There was more. Immature inappropriate snap chatting occurred resulting in more hurt feelings and drama. There's nothing so horrific that Social Media can't make it worse. These are not really my stories to tell. Families lives ripped apart. Threats, school and police involvement all make it worse.

Suicide.
I've thought of it before.  Decades ago when I was so abused I literally wasn't thinking straight. I remember sitting on the side of my bed when I had come back to my mom's house wondering, "What should I do next?...Wash my hair or eat breakfast". That broken-down where the simplest decisions are too heavy to bear.
I had lost all that was known to me...a "Godly spouse", the perfect high school sweetheart marriage, and the dream of being better than my mom, a thrice divorcee. This lead me to accept situations later on in life that had I not had this background, I could have made better choices for myself.
When a history of abuse is present, the roots go deep.
I feel for this girls family, for her Cheer mates, her classmates, the counselors at her school, her siblings, her church family, her dad, our community.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-8255

• suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Videos from a dying dad and husband

  Four Points Film Group, I cannot thank enough for this. CHRIS HOPCRAFT...a dear friend I didn't know I needed.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuFBrA8Yksk&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2534HqHA2rHwmqPvyvu6U8SadRbqERB1PnuZssAq70f0HArz9OHVZGDBM

Police incident Mt. Pleasant MI

An incident at work..Officer  Brown not helpful. Confrontational and beyond rude.

Date Rape drugged

So, in the news is the discussion of a high judge going for the Supreme Court, a Lifetime appointment, that is accused of assaulting a woman in high school. Her (Dr Ford)'s testimony was compelling.

I have friends on both sides. Attornies believe her. Others say that Dr Ford is being used by the left as she was formerly employed by the Clinton's. None of that really matters. Every abuse story is true by the person telling it. My friend Cynthia is telling a lot of her stories on Facebook. This is one of mine.

I went to Rubble's the bar in Mt Pleasant Michigan with Shelly Patton, and my friend Lori Smith. Shelly's husband Clay's band was playing. I had not drunk any alcohol before going.

I ran into a guy that was in my brother's school class. His name is Scott Theisen. He asked who I was there with, and for whatever reason..I said..Nobody..I'm on my own tonight!!

I had a glass of wine in front of me. My friends were doing shots..I don't do shots. I had to go to the bathroom. I came back, resumed drinking my wine. (can you all see where this is going?) I drank..started feeling VERY woosy, hot and dizzy.

Scott Theisen so graciously (!!) said he would take me outside to get some air. I was feeling very jello legged. I didn't know nor could I stop anything from happening. I wasn't thinking clearly nor even having a thought process.

Scott Theisen took me to the side of the building. I sort of recall my pants were down around my legs and my face being pushed into the brick side of the building. I remember him trying to fuck me from behind. His penis was trying to enter me. I couldn't talk, couldn't fight back, couldn't move.

All of a sudden, Thank God...(Literally thank GOD), I started to vomit. and Vomit. AND VOMIT.

Somehow..he stopped, my pants got pulled back up and I found myself in the bathroom at Rubbles. I was VOMITING.

Shelly came to check on me..laughing. Lori..came to check on me laughing...assuming I was drunk. I kept trying to tell them that something was wrong...I hadn't drunk anything..I wasn't drunk. "TINY" the huge obese bouncer, so kind and giving even came to check on me. I was still puking.

 I eventually went out to my van, Lori eventually came out with me. Scott Theisen the rapist was pacing up and back and forth on the sidewalk. He attempted to talk to Lori who was having none of it. I called my spouse for a ride for us. We have a deal, need a ride anytime anyplace, no questions asked. I had never had to use it. He came and got us.

I was embarrassed. I was scared. I was freaked out.  I was a University graduate and couldn't understand what had happened to me.
The next morning...It was little flashbacks of memory.... there was not a long memory of thought. There were broken sequences that helped me try and put together what happened. I tried to piece it together. I didn't call the police, I didn't even think of that then.

Now, years later I see him around, mostly at Stan's diner where I eat frequently at lunch. I want revenge. How many others did he do this to? I know I wasn't the first, he was too smooth. He put a date rape drug in my drink. He took me outside, to my peril. I did not give consent. I had no will power to stop. I couldn't stop him. I remain pissed.

I've taught my daughters to keep tabs on their drinks. I tell my friends. Tell yours.

Movin on down the road...

THIS kid. From a baby ballerina that cried for weeks during her first few dance lessons, to a star in her own show, THIS kid.
She graduated from High School with multiple honors, has a free ride at Central Michigan University and is incredible.
This summer, she spent 6 weeks in Guatemala, being a mentor to a 16 year old girl that went with her. She worked very diligently both to the people there, and the ones at Flames of Fire ministry. (http://www.flamesoffireministry.org  )
She helped with food, traveled on dirt two tracks, went hungry and grew.

THIS , is what every mom hopes for her child, that they grow beyond their circumstance, beyond their limited local vision.

Airport John

This, is AIRPORT JOHN. The photo was taken by Holly MaHaffey on a photo shoot at the Mt. Pleasant Airport. I had suggested the article on Leni, the AIRPORT DOG. He died the August after this photo was taken.
John, is currently in the hospital after having a Stroke of sorts. He is/was an amazing guy. Friend, kind, funny, but not without his demons. I fear he will die. I fear he won't.

You Raise Me Up....

http://www.faithtap.com/4435/young-duo-sings-a-spine-tingling-version-of-you-raise-me-up/

YOU Raise me up to more..than I can be.

http://www.faithtap.com/4435/young-duo-sings-a-spine-tingling-version-of-you-raise-me-up/

Broken Bone pictures Wordless Sunday

Grad Student

I decided with my recent broken leg adventure, that once again, only I am in control of what I do with my life. This of course is influenced by the kids, money, yeah..maybe I am NOT in control of my life.

This recently happened in February of 2015. 

It is on the same leg as I crushed in 1998. the top portion is the "old "L " Plate and screws, the bottom is the L shape and 14 screws I got recently. My ankle is really acting up not liking the new hardware I think I have to blow some sage over it, and try to get it to accept it. NO hardware will ever be coming out. 

While laying in the hospital bed in my living room, I decided to start Graduate School for Counseling. I had two six week classes this summer, and have 3 classes (9 credits which is like carrying 18 undergrad credits) now. 

It's another journey. AND...I feel like I am EXACTLY where I am supposed to be and that is the first time in years that has happened. It's not about being "mom" or "Sort of some wife that isn't a wife", its about ME. And...that feels pretty damn strange my friends, pretty strange. 

Freindship

I don't have a lot of friends. That's ok, just saying it like I feel it. I do have people I can call on. Well hell, to be truthful, I wouldn't have to call them, the calls would be made for me.

Shelly, bottom right, Me, top right, Lori Top Left

This picture is of friends. Lori and I were very close for a long time. We met in  a church "small group" that was meeting at my house at the time in St. Louis. We mentioned "beer" one night...and after that we laughed and had a blast. Something happened, her son got cancer (and lived), at a time when my youngest was diagnosed with Pneumonia (again). There was some break in the friendship, I don't know over what now, but it was renewed once  when we discussed the book "THE SECRET". This book was instrumental in changing the way that many of my "fundamental" friends "saw" the Universe, and God, and how things happen. Great phrases that only now while I'm writing I had forgotten where they came from --"You do not have to create what you want - it already exists"  "

"Your body works like a movie projector, and the film running through the projector is all of your thoughts. What thoughts are you choosing?" 

Anyways, for a while things were ok, now they moved, we moved, life happened, its one of those horrible "oh we have to get together" things, that never seems to make it to reality. It is always disappointing. 

Then..my friend Angie  (not the slightly crazed meth head Angie addicted to Vicodin and Methodone, but the OTHER Angie inserting "Faces Of Meth here, she could have been included : http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/faces-meth-horrific-transformation-fresh-faced-4705220). THAT Angie deserves a long post on only her. This is NOT her, but she was losing teeth because of drugs that when one fell out she could blithely say, "Oh, here's another one". 

This OTHER Angie, She is simply amazing. She has taught me so much about being real, and even when I told her some really freaky stuff, didn't freak out. When I think of her, I smile. How cool is that. I can't think of a time that I didn't want to be better around her. One thing is...She simply GETS me. She understands my complex relationship with God, the Universe, the Auras, My Dreams that come true, and how I can still swear and be very spiritual. 

THIS Angie, cracks me up. She is meticulous in her work, which helps me want to be. She is methodical and will keep investigating until she turns over the pebbles that are hidden under the rocks. 

We actually have a pretty long history. As any woman knows, there are defining moments in life. I can say...Hey I knew her "BEFORE" She had kids! BOOM. There it is. That is one thing. We were traveling for a fundraiser and she was "heavy with child". I caught her a couple times out of the corner of my eye, and she was sort of sickly green all around her. Nobody seemed to be noticing that this HUGELY Pregnant woman was in crisis. I don't even know if SHE got it. It was very disturbing. Well, we worked closely together for about 2 years. Then, the gig we had was up and I sort of lost her for a while. 

While delivering food to a shelter, I found her again!! I was volunteering at the food bank, picking up Panera Bread a couple times a week and taking it to various non profits. Angie was the Counselor at one of them. 

We have recently been being more faithful to our friendship, and that makes me happy. It's 5:05 in the morning, I don't think I will sleep tonight, but I"m done writing for now. I'll come back and edit later. 

Native American Investigations

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Continuing to investigate The Mide Society, Eddie Benton ..very interesting stuff.

Break a Leg sister....

Broadway Theatre’s “Acting Can Be Murder” sends up murder plays

Mark Carpenter and Kendall Farnum rehearse a scene from "Acting Can Be Murder," at the Broadway Theatre on Monday. ìActing Can Be Murder,î will be held at the Broadway Theatre, 216 E. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, on March 6, 7, 13, 14 at 7 p.m. and March 8, 15 at 2 p.m. Kelly Rocheleau - The Morning Sun. 

By Kelly Rocheleau, krocheleau@michigannewspapers.com, @KellyRocheleau on Twitter

POSTED: 03/04/15, 4:04 PM EST |

0 COMMENTS

It sounds like a joke: The lead actress in a play about a stand-in actress replaced by a stand-in.

Yet that was the exact situation the Broadway Theatre in Mt. Pleasant dealt with when Donna Kriss, star of the murder mystery spoof “Acting Can Be Murder,” broke her leg 10 days before the shows opens Friday.

As a result, actress Kendall Farnum took over for Kriss in the role of Dolores Gordon, an understudy in the murder mystery play “Which Butler Did It?”.

Within the first three minutes of “Murder” – no spoiler warning needed- Dolores kills the lead actress of the play-with-in-a play and usurps her role. This kicks off a murder mystery on the set of a murder mystery.

Farnum, previously cast as the play-within-a-play’s director, said she feels OK about memorizing 300 lines worth of dialogue within a small window of time.

“The lines are just – some of it I had, because I was in a number of scenes already with Donna [playing] Dolores, so some of those exchanges were [between] us, so I had the general gist of some of it anyway,” Farnum said with the show’s script in her hand.

Farnum said she has prepared for her first-ever lead role by looking at the script when she wakes up in morning, another point each afternoon, and at night to prepare for her new part.

“I try every time I look at it [to] have another section that I know what’s where,” Farnum said.

The director of the actual play, Broadway staple Cindy Kilmer, describes the show.

“It’s a farce and a spoof of murder mysteries,” Kilmer said. “The curtain opens and somebody makes a confession, but the mystery is not who killed the person, the mystery is [about] what’s become of the person’s body and whatnot.

Kilmer said she asked Kriss’ permission before beseeching Farnum via text message to take on the part the production’s plot largely revolves around at the eleventh hour.

“I said [to Kriss] I needed her blessing. She said, ‘By all means, that would be great,’ so it’s been a Herculean effort for Kendall to learn 300 lines in 10 days,” Farnum said.

Despite the friendly faces and laughter emanating throughout the theatre during rehearsal, Kilmer said mounting a show with a massive last-second casting change added more challenge to the already daunting task of directing a comedy with a large cast.

“I would say the stress levels are higher than any shows I’ve ever done before. We’ve never had a person actually not be able to do the play they’ve been training for for weeks, so this is a first. So yeah, stress levels have been running kind of high,” Kilmer said

Kilmer glances at her surroundings as she speaks, as stage hands prepare lights and set pieces and cast members dressed as maids and ghosts scurry across the stage. As the old saying goes, the show must go on.

“It’s been going really well. Kendall’s a champ,” Kilmer said.

Kilmer’s nerves deflate for a moment. “She’s doing really [well,]” Kilmer says with a laugh of relief. “I’ve been just astounded by how she’s been able to step into that part.”

Others in the 17-member cast include Gail Caleca as Isabella, an actress who discovers her husband is having an affair, assistant director Lindsey Read-Smith as the play-within-a-play’s director – the part Farnum was originally cast for – and Mount Pleasant High School foreign exchange students Mo Wagner and Alfonso Boron Martin, from Germany and Spain, respectively, in their English acting debuts.

Wagner and Martin got involved with the show through Kriss, their host while they stay in the U.S.

“Here I need to play an American accent, and it’s hard for me. Nervous, you know?” Martin said.

Martin smiles as he turns to Kilmer.

“I imagine you said they needed a sexy guy, and Donna said, ‘I know who!’ Martin jokes as the nearby cast erupts into laughter.

Considering the play’s subject matter, the irony of how Farnum was cast is not lost on the cast, as Kilmer’s husband Bruce, a frequent flier in shows his wife directs, often appearing in some role or another, points to the new leading lady in a mock accusatory fashion.

“She broke the lead’s leg so she could get the part,” Bruce jokes to Farnum. “At least you didn’t murder her.”

Farnum shakes her head.

“I was nowhere near,” Farnum said. “My husband’s put on Facebook to my kids, ‘Okay, this is just a little suspicious….”

“Acting Can Be Murder,” will be held at the Broadway Theatre, 216 E. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, on March 6, 7, 13, 14 at 7 p.m. and March 8, 15 at 2 p.m. Tickets available at Ric’s and Aces of Diamonds for $8 or at www.friendsofthebroadway.com for 8.50.

Outstanding Volunteer

This is from a year or so ago, but I recently ran across it and am putting it so I have access to it. Pretty nice, I never found out who suggested me for the award.

From The Morning Sun

Outstanding Volunteerism Project: Profiles of altruism

·         By Holly Mahaffey/@hollymahaffey

·         Posted: Monday, 02/25/13 02:03 pm
Updated: Monday, 02/25/13 02:07 pm

 

·         By Holly Mahaffey/@hollymahaffey

·         The Morning Sun recently asked readers to nominate members of our community for a project recognizing the many altruistic people doing good things in the community. Nominations from Clare, Isabella and Gratiot counties came in, and out of these one volunteer was picked randomly to be featured – Sherry Pulverente of Mt. Pleasant, for her work with small business networking and keeping local dollars local.

·         Donna Kriss - Mt. Pleasant
Nomination: “Donna is the unofficial ambassador of Mt. Pleasant, via our airport, and puts many many long hours into making this town a better place. For all her work at the airport, her work with kids who need that extra help, feeding hungry people, and her pleasant chit-chat for all traveling into our city, she deserves to be recognized for her outstanding volunteerism.”

Grad School- Statement. "This is Me".

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

I attended CMU and graduated with a Bachelor of Science. My time at CMU was extended as I took on various life events. I finished my degree in 1991 having started it after high school in 1978. It was one of my most successful goals I completed.

I have worked using my degree for over 20 years in various State Agencies and privately. Each of my experiences would have benefitted from having a Masters in Counseling degree. The time for me, is now. My children are of an age they do not need my constant intervention, and I desire to continue and complete this goal. 

I was a “Resident Care Aide” for the State of Michigan at the Mt. Pleasant Center working with clients with various degrees of mental illnesses. I cared for clients in the least restrictive environment while helping them maintain a sense of dignity which was my goal (and the law). This involved doing IEP’s (Individual Educational Plans), personal care and activities of daily living, along with medical treatments. I  was thrilled to continue this position at the Michigan School for the Blind while it was located in Lansing Michigan. I worked in a school setting with Visually Impaired (and Multiply Impaired) Students in all grade levels. I have a son with Autism-(Asperger Syndrome) with whom we had to navigate the school system involved with his education. He is currently a Junior at a State University.  I have mentored many parents helping them with their child’s needs and getting school systems to assist them.

 I have been a State of Michigan Department of Corrections Parole/Probation Agent in the City of Saginaw and surrounding counties. Involved in this work was everything from counseling on jobs, relationship issues, employment options, drug addiction and civic duties. I enjoyed working within the Court system and seeing Offenders better their own situations. I currently work in Attorneys’ Offices, with cases ranging from Criminal to Civil, from child protective services (CPS), divorces, custody, bankruptcy, Heroin/Crack/Methadone users which then involve the entire family. It will be with these types of families I will continue to work with after my Master’s completion.

  I have worked as a Foster/Adoptive Recruiter/Trainer. My heart is here. I taught parenting classes for the Court system-everything from training adults in the Michigan based Adoptive courses to “Love and Logic” parenting classes both for the Courts, individuals and in School settings for parents and teachers.

 I taught for 7 years at Davenport University in the Criminal Justice Program. My involvement was instructing in Introductory Courses that Corrections Officer’s are required to take (Introduction to Corrections, Prison Life, Deviant Behavior, and also Personal Communications (Speech)).  

 I taught American Sign Language (although I am not licensed) through Gratiot-Isabella RESD ITV Program for 2 ½ years. I had perhaps one “live” class of students in front of me and 1-2 on TV monitors across the State. Schools included Dewitt, Central Montcalm, Breckenridge, Carson City, and Fulton. I also volunteered at St. Louis Michigan Alternative School.

I have been fortunate to have received many hours of training in Leadership Skills. Through the National Children’s Defense fund, I was an “Emerging Leader” of the Class of 2004. The Emerging Leaders project trained us to be social change activists.  We traveled to Washington DC several times and studied how to approach Lawmakers on the Hill and frame messages so they can be heard quickly.

I also completed Gratiot Counties “Leadership” program,  and Michigan’s Children “VOICES” academy- each training me how to be a more effective advocate for individuals, how to change Public Policy, and influence others toward good.

I am active in my community and currently serve as the President of the Airport Advisory Board for the City of Mt. Pleasant and as Secretary for International Relationship council of Mt. Pleasant. I am helping with the planned visit to our Sister city OKAYA Japan in August 2015.

My goals for completing my Master’s program are to continue Public Service. While not employed I always stayed busy volunteering in a Food Bank Program, Schools, Churches and supporting families. There is a huge need for compassionate trained personnel in this field. I see my future role continuing to do much the same my life path has already brought me. I want to be able to counsel women to make better life choices, to be able to give themselves better options and improve the lives of their children. I have worked counseling Felony Offenders to take parenting classes to regain custody of their children, and have worked with Foster families to gain skills needed for working with the children of Offenders. I have also had to guide both sides of families when a final placement of adoption was needed. My Master’s degree will assist me in doing this more effectively.

I love CMU. I love the Mt. Pleasant area. I want to attend classes and be involved in Campus activities and that is why I chose CMU over other learning programs. I look forward to beginning classes and starting this new chapter. 

 

Donna Husted Kriss
Foreign Student Host Family Recruiter
Mt. Pleasant Airport Advisory Board
International Relations Council Board
Love and Logic Facilitator
Gratiot County Leadership
Children's Defense Fund Emerging Leader
Michigan Children's VOICES
Mom 

Foreign Exchange Students

SO. We have TWO foreign exchange students in our house along with my Senior Student and Freshman Daughter. One girl Mo is from Germany, Sani is from Finland. It has been eye opening. I have learned the truth, that I HAVE GREAT KIDS. My girls have given up, given in so much for these other two girls...have shared friends, lunch tables and dance lessons.

I know they are also learning that you don't always get much return on investments. One girl started immediately complaining about her room. The carpet was icky. (we tore it up). Then, The floor is worse now than it was with the carpet. (we got an area rug). Her infectious negativism is affecting the other. But...then we find out what the REAL problem is..and it is she is VERY homesick. Her Grandpa has cancer and she is afraid he is going to die.

Then..they both requested to "move"...which is an entire process in and of itself. They have to investigate, and inspect and question. It really sucks. It sucks because I have offered the Absolute BEST we have, and someone finds it not good enough. It is not even a "sort of " slap in the face it IS a slap in the face.

Then, Last night Finland Girl has a Cross Country end of the year dinner. We all go to support her. She announces that her mom approved for her to go to Hawaii for 8-10 days in February. That just again shows that these exchange students are Way out of my league for money. I wasn't trying to compete, but the best we have I am sure really is FAR below what they have at home. Lesson Learned. I'm sure I have many more to learn.

States I have been too... I Think

Create Your Own Visited States Map

Sara and Carl and Baby Katherine Joy

by Emily Hansonhttps://www.youcaring.com/memorial-fundraiser/in-memory-of-katherine-joy/213237

Sara gave me permission to share their birth story:

"On Wednesday July 30th at around 730pm. Sara went into active labor. However it became clear to Sara somewhere around 10pm that safest place for her to be was the hospital. So Carl helped Sara into the vehicle to get to the hospital. On the way there however the contractions became to intense for Sara to bare while in the car. They pulled over and immediately dialed 911. Ambulance came to her rather quickly but to everyone involved it just looked like a normal laboring pregnant woman. Sara continued to feel intense contractions but knew something wasn't right. They rushed her to the closest hospital and performed an ultrasound to find that baby Katherine no longer had a heartbeat. A doctor ordered an emergency c section and they rushed Sara back into the operating room. Once the surgery began the doctors found that Sara's uterus had ruptured causing baby Katherine to come out of the uterus and slide into the upper abdomen. Baby Katherine was born at 12:10am on July 31st. The doctors tried to bring her back but it was too late. They focused next on Sara's life and on saving her fertility. We are so grateful that the Lord spared Sara's life but we grieve a deep grief for her baby Katherine loss."

Share This Update!- See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/memorial-fundraiser/in-memory-of-katherine-joy/213237/update/200012#sthash.BDXKqoFq.dpuf

Our precious Katherine Joy...born into her heavenly Father's arms July 31st,2014  12:10am, 10pds 7oz. I

Changes - Great teachers Ms. Finding

We recently went back to Kalamazoo where we lived for transition year. It was a miserable time for me most of the time. I was caring for my mom, had a great job for 7 weeks, Spouse went wacko. In the midst of all of this though was a person who cared for my daughter. My tears are starting to squirt as I type. Ms. Finding was the Video production instructor at Milwood Magnet School. http://milwoodmagnetschool.org/

I was crazy that year. I had moved down there because I got a great job with a local agency. After I had completed WAY more work in a very short period of time, they "Lost Funding for the Job". I had already enrolled my 3 kids in the school system, signed a $1100 a month year lease, and moved. Ms. Finding was the grounding force for Helena all year. 

We recently went back. My oldest son, WILL is transferring from Mid Michigan community college to Western. He's finishing up his last math class now. By Transferring, he was have completed his Associates, and is going into Broadcasting and Journalism. 

He learned enough to be comfortable in Kalamazoo. 

He wants to get out of Mt. Pleasant. 

He will do great. 

Helena is doing great. Joy little one is doing great. I have been BLESSED by great kids, and their great teachers. I know that Ms. Findling, helped save my daughter that year, and I will be forever indebted. 

Death Becomes Me

I've been helping an acquaintance with the complicated in's and out's of getting Guardianship over a relative. The process started months ago. Relative was in a nursing home, got word of the details, and skedaddled. Such a FUNNY man! Wheeled himself to the nursing home doors at midnight surreptitiously, where his partner in escape was waiting with a car. They beat the system that time. It made me laugh.

He went home to his squalor.

So, like many his age, he was a HORDER. Coming from a time when "You never know what you may need when, and not have the money to buy it".

 LOTS of food. Why then did he only weigh 97 pounds? The food was accessible to his wheelchair. He was "Adored" by his neighbors in his apartment complex. Located near Michigan State University, students would seek him out for help in research, and for companionship. His mind-Brilliant. He did research for Attorneys, Judges and Corporations. Why did none of his neighbors step in? He was bull headed. He had several times come to the attention of Adult Protective Services.

 The first haul of food to a local food bank was about 300 pounds. A couple hundred more was thrown out. While clearing out his apartment one afternoon, two homeless people were digging through the trash I had just pitched, grabbing the underwear and searching for warm clothing. I told them I would begin leaving everything warm I could find behind the dumpster. This is my America?

I showed up on the day he passed away. His eyes lit up...he was delighted to see me. I asked if I could sing for him. I USED to sing...don't much anymore. Anyway, I started singing Christmas Carols to him...he started crying. When I say Crying...I mean the lone tear that sneaked down his cheek. He passed away that night. RIP my new, old friend. 

YES...THIS WAS IN AMERICA. 

Obituary

Dec. 8, 2013

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