family

My attention has been drawn in a more focused way to my family in recent weeks. Sometimes in good ways, sometimes not so good.

My brother-in-law has cancer. Multiple myeloma. My sister and he have always been marginal financially. Now that he can't work as he goes through treatments, and the bills are rolling in, it is challenging in the extreme. They've had some assistance from their worship community- financial and practical- and some assistance from some charitable organizations.

And a lot of assistance from family.

Because that is what you do.

I've been working with them on organizing bills, applying for aid, navigating the health insurance and the Social Security application forms.

Taking my nephews out for movies and McDonalds.

My mom has been working on applying for aid, and my dad has come into town with his wife to be another driver for the various treatments.

I've been driving too.

I'm just back from a wonderful weekend with one of my daughters (and a couple of my alterna-daughters) and both of my sons (and a couple of my alterna-sons). And I'm looking forward to the weekend ahead, with my other daughter (and some alterna-daughters) and my sons (and some of my alterna-sons) coming together to celebrate my grandson's first birthday.

There are some days when I wonder how to escape from the crazy and the stress of family ties that bind and strangle.

Other days I cannot imagine how I would ever manage without the love and joy and hope and pride I enjoy with my dear, dear family.