YAAYYYY Ann!
Welcome, and thanks for the flowers!!!
Our Garden is a phenom!
Carol

Ann, first of all, a very warm WELCOME! Your post touched my heart, in many ways. I see you have also dealt with a lot of difficult issues in your life (with Gods help!). I resemble that as well! I was raped as a child because my grandmother was too drunk to watch out for my safety, then I had a son die in 1979 as an infant, my first husband mistook me for a punching bag until I got smart and divorced his rear end, and I have 3 adult bipolar kids, one of my little brothers died of aids in 1995 after being given a bad blood transfusion for hemophilia in the early 1980's, I am now raising one of my grandchildren, and I have been sexually harrassed at work for over a year and a half AND I WORK AT A CHURCH! But...I am pretty healthy, I have a wonderful husband who is my best friend, I have many good friends I spend time with, 7 grandchildren I adore, and I am STILL ONLY 47 YEARS OLD! I have a lot of faith myself which has kept me going too. Oh I forgot to mention I have a MIL 82 years old diagnosed 4 years ago with dementia, that's how I came to be on these forums to meet some really great people! I help care for my EX MIL sometimes as she was just diagnosed in the last 6 weeks with small cell lung cancer, and she is my good friend. Nice to "meet" you Ann, and blessings to you on all you have overcome!

Jane your story reminds me of a wonderful tale I've heard.

A woman goes to Jesus and says, "Lord, you've given me such a heavy cross to bear. Please, can't I have a smaller one, as I am so tired of carrying this one."

So Jesus said, "Sure, let me take you to the graveyard of crosses and you can pick another one out." So off they went to a huge sea of crosses.

Immediately, the woman saw a smaller one that she thought would be about right. She picked it up and was seeing how it felt. Jesus said, "Let me tell you the story of that cross. It belonged to a woman whose newborn died. She had left the baby with her husband while she ran errands and the child got entangled with the chords from the blinds. The woman was never able to forgive her husband, so a few weeks after she buried her baby, she buried her husband, who committed suicide.

Needless to say, the woman didn't want that cross and proceeded to "try on" other crosses. Each cross had a tragic story behind it. After a while, the woman turned to Jesus and said, you know, I think I'll just keep my cross. At least it's familiar!"

Your story sounds horrible to me and mine sounds horrible to a lot of folks. But my story is "comfortable" and God has grown me to accept and even celebrate my challenges, as they are all mine.

Thank you for welcoming me. May God continue to bless us and send us His earthly angels to help us along this journey called life.

Ann

Hello to everyone lol, so many came since last time I posted I is confused lol

Kat

Ann,
What a wonderful, wonderful story! Thanks for putting that on here, it really makes you think. And my cross? Yep, I think I'll keep the one I have.

Thank you always for your words of wisdom.

Love to you,
Jackie

AnnR
What a lovely story..

One time when I was going through a REALLY rough time.. my ex didn't use me as a punching bag physically, but he did use me as one mentally (believe me just as many scars develop I just never had the bruises to show for it). Finally after 15 years I got enough courage and strength to divorce him. I was crying on my Mom's shoulders about not being sure if I had done the right thing and how I was going to make it with a preteen daughter, part time job and asking why God could allow such bad things to happen..

She hugged me and said sometimes God puts us through bad things and tough times so that we can really appreciate it when we have the good things and good times and so that we will know that he is there to catch us no matter what as long as we put our faith in him and trust him competely!

Ya know she was so right. For the past 5 years I have had a wonderful man in my life, a wonderful daughter that has become a young lady and getting ready to make me a Grandma for the very first time. I have not gone hungry or wanted for anything since I turned EVERY thing over to him..

So I think I will keep my cross too.. and will remember this story when I start feeling like it is to heavy..

Thank you so very much..

Oh Kat, you made me giggle.. but at least it's a good confused.. right?

Well good grief,
If I only had a brain. I could have scrolled down and read all the posts here to see all the wonderful people who are here. Wow!!! I love reading all the stories in one spot. I'm so glad everyone is hanging out together in a safe place.

Hi Everyone!

I finally made it over here! I had been fighting to save my 89 year old mother (AD) from years of abuse by my 96 year old ESF for the past three years! Because I had crossed the line and "interfered" by speaking to my mother's doctor about the abuse, I was banned from having any contact with my mother for the past three years! He filled her with lies about me and refused to let her speak to me even at family gatherings like weddings, Thanksgiving at other locations! DCF was called twice - (completely usless), sisters wouldn't help, brothers were on my side and willing beat up ESF and kidnap my mother. So that was a "No"! Basically, I was on my own! With the help of neighbors, my husband and paramedics, my mother was finally rescued in the nick of time. She was suffering from malnutrition (he didn't feed her!), dehydration, a broken rib, a broken foot and had not bathed in months!! That was in July. ESF died in August! Mom is doing great now in an ALF just two blocks from my house! I spend all my free time taking her places and filling her life with all the joys and happiness that was denied her for many, many years! I am blessed to have her in my life! I am also blessed because of so many on the Alz. board that helped me with their prayers to help rescue my mother! Thank you ALL!!

W W!!!!!
Welcome Connie!
I remember pieces of your story from the other board, and
I am so happy things are going so well for you and your sweet
Mother now.
Welcome to this board. Your perspective and wisdom will be
treasured.
Carol

Hi Connie - Welcome!

Congratualtions on winning that 'war'.
Peace
Eileen

Hi sweetie! You'll really like it here. No yucky peeps, and with Lori & Carol, and Aitan, at the helm, it looks like a vey supportive, and safe place to be, for a long time!

"Welcome!"

P.S. Would you like me to post a picture of You & June in "AD has a face?"

N.Mc.

Connie B
Welcome Welcome Welcome!!!!!!!!!

Glad you are feeling better.. even more glad that your Mom is safe and
in much better hands now..

Oh Connie, I'm so glad you finally made it over here.

Welcome Connie. We are so happy to have you here.