In the Water we will Play

 After my last post I felt we needed a little bit of light-heartedness around here, but please, take a moment to read my last post and help if you can!

Now in the picture above the boy on the left is my nephew Shelby. That's right, he is the one that got hit by a car, suffered a fractured (7 pieces!) skull, had major surgery, and a broken collarbone. Can you believe that this picture was taken on the 4th of July only two weeks after it happened?! He is doing so amazingly well. He is suppose to be taking it easy all summer, no sports, bikes or anything that would be taxing on his brain (tests, reading, etc.).

 My mother-in-law and I took the kids to the small little "beach" here in town. It is a far cry from Lake Michigan and the beautiful beaches we are used to, but I am thankful that it is here.

The water is warm and the kids enjoyed the chance to cool off. Heck, I even got in to cool down. It has been HOT here!

 The ducks in the area are very friendly. They come right up to you and demand food. If you drop anything they are on it. Of course, we had some blueberries, chips and fruit snacks and every one that dropped the ducks were fighting over. It was kind of cute though.

Mrs. Peterson, the kids' tutor, told us about a park in Grand Rapids that has a playground area and a water fountain that is made for the kids to play in. I'd like to go there but haven't yet. It is a 30 minutes drive from here. Of course, everything is a 30 minute drive from us...still, I'd rather wait for Mark to be home and have him drive ;-)

A Little Help For My Friend

Before Henry was born, I worked the front desk at a local hotel. One of the people I worked with was a woman named Marian. She was a single mom and lived with her teenage son, Paul. Over the years we were friends and even after I left that job we stayed in touch through email and through my mom (Marian came into the library a lot while my mom worked there).

Last November Marian passed away in her sleep. Of course, we no longer lived in the same town and this was during the time we had no money at all so I was not able to help her son in any way. I felt badly about that and tried to make up for it by sending messages and sharing happy stories of Marian.

Marian's son, Paul, is now in his early twenties and is a father of a two year old. Unfortunately, his son passed away on July 6th. It was such a tragic, senseless death and my heart aches for him and his partner. I remember Paul fondly and I'm so sad that he is going through this so soon after losing his mom.

Thankfully, I am in a position where I am able to send some help money-wise. It isn't much. I've also shared his story on Facebook. His older sister, who lives in New York state, made a donation site for him. The money is to be used for final expenses. I donated to that fund as well and I've shared it several times on Facebook.

The thing that is really getting me upset is that no one that I know has donated to it. I know people can't always contribute (I know that first hand) but I thought that my friends that live in the same town as Paul would at least jump in with prayers, healing thoughts or mojo. Usually these friends are the first to say they are praying and the first to try to help somehow even if it is with a meal. Why are the not responding to this?? These two young people have lost their 2 year old son!

I'm trying to not jump to conclusions about why no one seems to care. I know money is tight for some, but words are always free and kind ones are always well received.

So, I am coming to the blogging world and asking for help. I know that you don't know these young people, but you don't have to know them to have a bit of compassion. Check out the donation site. It has pictures and Paul has written about his son and what happened. I find that it is hard for me to write about the details and it is so much better coming from Paul. If you can, please donate a couple of dollars or leave a kind message...or both.

You can find the website by clicking HERE.

Edited to Add...
Okay...I came to respond to a message that was left for me and now that message is gone. Weird. I will just add my comment here in  the hopes it makes things clearer.

The reason I am mad that no one is giving a kind thought or prayer to these people is that my Manistee friends KNOW them. Several times a day I see status updates about friends of friends and/or their children and the love and pray pile is on. I guess I am confused why no one seems to care about these two. When my nephew was in the hospital many friends that never knew he existed before then were willing to send thoughts and prayers, but for someone they know and that lives in their town and they actually see out and about they can't seem to care about.

I understand that sending them well wishes might come across as weird if you don't know them. I probably wouldn't either. I do know that on Facebook any comments made on my link would be visible to Paul and that's why I am shocked that people are so quiet.

It comes down to my wanting to help them in some way. I've done what I was able to do financially and by sharing their story I hope that, somehow, they will get the help they need.

Edited again because some people are truly wonderful!

Sometimes people you meet through the internet are kind, cool and talented. Those people care when the ones that SHOULD care don't or can't be bothered.

DM- I only know you online and yet you are the kind of person I want my children to grow up to be like. Thank you.

AO- You are so kind and thoughtful. Thank you for helping! Many blessing to you!

Playing Catch Up, Part 3

 Our local library had a free petting zoo one night. The kids and I walked over and got to meet some animals. Gavin was quite willing to pet the snake! Henry and Irene touched it but refused to let them set it around their shoulders.

 Petting the fuzzy rabbit was a big hit.

 Gavin had to get right up there and check it out, too.

 The big turtle (tortoise? I have no idea.) was Gavin's favorite.

                              
                               
 Henry and the llama became good friends and he liked the goats, too. Of course, he wanted to actually touch the tarantula that they had....yuck. They kids also got to pet a prairie dog and get 'kissed' by a lizard with a blue tongue.

 They also had to take a turn sitting on the donkey.

 And making faces...

I like our library and the programs they offer. I feel we are fortunate to have a library that is part of the KDL library system. We have a lot of books available to us and they offer so many programs. Great deal!

Playing Catch Up, Part 2

Irene turned 5 back in June. We had her birthday at the Binder Park Zoo. She wanted a Barbie cake this year. Grandpa Lou picked it up the night before and when he got home the cake had fallen apart! He went back to the store with it and the manager called up the bakery staff and told them they'd have to make another first thing in the morning. Thankfully, the second cake survived and was quite yummy.

 My dad made a picnic lunch for us. He had three kinds of sandwiches and two kinds of chips.

 After we ate, Irene opened her gifts. Lalaloopsy was the favorite again this year. My dad did get her a doctor's kit, which she had wanted badly. She is big into Doc McStuffins and wanted a stethoscope like Doc's.

 After the party we headed into the zoo. We rode the tram into "Africa" and started our safari. We all got to feed the giraffes and this year Gavin loved it!

 Then we made the long walk through "Africa."  It was so hot. By the time we made it back to the tram we were all ready for a drink and some shade.

 We checked out the children's portion of the zoo. There were goats and rabbits and a big slide that the kids played on for quite some time. Through out the area there were misters spraying out cool water.

 We had a lovely time. The kids were tired (so were the adults!) and Gavin fell asleep soon after getting in the car.

I think it was a good birthday for Irene. She is excited about being five and can't wait for school to start in the fall since she will be in Kindergarten!

As always, you can check out my knitting blog by clicking here.

Playing Catch Up, Part 1

Just a quick update on my nephew, Shelby. He is home and doing very well. He has gotten the staples out of his head (all 44 of them!) and is supposed to be having low stimulation for the next 8 weeks. It is still amazing when you think about the accident and his injuries and then look at him now. It is remarkable!

As for our little family...

Irene was taking a 16 week baton twirling class that started back in February. In May they had their final class and did their twirl/dance routine for all the parents. She also got a medal for perfect attendance.

                            Irene is the one in black pants.

 She worked very hard at the classes. They have a schedule of parades that they have been doing. Irene really isn't interested in the parades and they are not required. She is willing to be in the parade our little town is having for their Riverwalk Festival.

 Overall, this has been a positive experience for her and we plan to have her join again when classes start up in the fall.

There are more updates coming just as soon as I have some time. As always, you should check out my knitting blog by clicking here.