Thanks Joris!

[MaxieG]

Hi Joris and everyone else who reads this  

I wanted to say thanks for the words of encouragement and support.  Yes, life is sometimes incredibly difficult and I must admit lately, it can appear overwhelming.  I wish that I could be one of those people who put on a very stoic face and simply march forward, but I really do struggle.  

Of course we all do I suppose, each in our own way.  But you are so right, in that when we go through valleys, our faith is made stronger.  I don't know all the reasons these things are happening, but I suspect that through a great deal of this mess, I have been  shedding the callousness, as well as the complacency that has taken years to create. I am learning each day, more and more, to trust in our Lord, and to rely upon Him for my strength, courage, peace and direction in all things.  There is no better place to be, than in touch with God..

As for my health, I am under the care of a wonderful doctor, whom I trust completely. That in itself is such a blessing, because we have HMO coverage. Of course I'm also grateful that we have any form of insurance at all.  And yes, I also agree with your views on the smoking situation.  Rocky tells me the same thing on a near daily basis. I just need to go on and DO IT!!

As for the break-in, I totally agree. They were all just things and I have so much more that can't be stolen.
We have upgraded our locks and had a security system installed. It was just the sheer thoughts of someone being inside our home and violating our privacy, that set me off. I guess you might say, it was the last straw, at least for that day. You really cracked me up though at the prospect of you wanting to take your Jeep to Heaven.  If I see one cruising around up there, I'll know it's you. LOL!

Thank you again for all that you said to me. I do know all you guys are there and are family to any and all who need you, and we do love you all. I suppose I'm just a person who doesn't like to burden others with my problems.  Besides that, there have been days when I just didn't want to talk to anyone except Rocky and God.

Things have really been rough, but they have been rougher, I know.  I have been in the situation where I allowed myself no place to turn, except drinking and drugging, and my only "friends" were good timers. Thank God, that is no longer my life.

I'll end this for now.  Tomorrow will arrive bright and early, and with it, my beautiful little grandson who stays with us each day now while his Mother is working. I look at him and see such hope and such sweet innocence, and that in itself is a mighty blessing handmade just for me!  God bless you my friend, and stay in His peace.

With love,
Max

[Dude]

You are so welcome, in every way.

It isn't easy to march forward sometimes, and I often feel like a zombie in doing so, but it is necessary to leave the turmoil and head toward the clearing just ahead. It's there somewhere, and your trust in God will take you there. And I know you do struggle, my sister, and my struggle is often seemingly too much for me to carry, but we must go on, we must. When you walk, listen for the voice of God telling you to take His hand. He walks beside you through the valley, and sits along the hillside waiting for you to come and sit there with Him. Talk with Him in your time of need.

Sometimes it really needs to be just you, Rocky and God. That's your peace, your place of comfort. This place is also a great refuge for you, and we all care so much about the difficulties you face from day to day. Sometimes just a kind heart, an ear to hear, a hand to hold can make all the difference. I think we all welcome each other with indifference to the magnitude of our problems, just to know we are here, waiting to hear from you no matter if the words are of a happy nature or of suffering. We find a little happiness in many things in life, just looking at the little children laughing, the dogs at play, a field of lillies, a pale blue sky and blue-green sea. But we also find happiness in being here when you need a friend, when your tears are flowing, when your life seems torn apart. We're here to mend a broken heart, or fix a shattered dream, or just to be here and reach back to you in love. Family extends to everyone in need, and you and Rocky are not excluded.

See yourself as stronger than tobacco. Tobacco is filled with certain chemicals not naturally found in the tobacco leaf. Some are designed to make the urge even more desireable. That's all part of the scheme to get people hooked and keep them there. You are stronger than any chemically induced addiction. You were given a will by God so that you could decide for yourself to do good or bad things in this life. You know the difference between right and wrong, and you know that especially in your situation smoking is a very bad thing for you to be doing to yourself, and to Rocky, who see's you self-destructing. He needs you more than ever before. If you shorten your life now (which is exactly what you're doing by smoking) you may very well be leaving him all alone in his condition one day. Knowing what I do of the person you are, I doubt that this is what you really want. It comes down to a choice that only YOU can make: do you want to smoke and rapidly end your life, or do you want to be around for Rocky (and with Rocky) as long as you possibly can? Think on that.

Never stay away from us, Maxie. You're a dear soul, and we need you as much as you need us... maybe even a little more now, both you and Rocky. Life has become a tender thing now, for all of us, and the wild days are gone. The days of mercy are upon us, and we need all the support we can find. A soul never has to stand alone. A spirit is meant to soar. Lift up your hearts in faith, and soar with us. Every word you write touches us. Every heart you touch sends you love.

God bless you and Rocky with strength and healing. God bless us all with a cure.