CatherineM Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 I made 10 lbs. of wings for lunch today. Zach is drinking 4 litres of milk a day. We've had him 15 months and he's grown 4 inches and 80 lbs. but he's still got a 31" waist. Size 14 shoes, so he certainly looks like he could be my biological son. We had to buy an extra freezer. It's not unusual for me to feed 10. One kid just got out if the hospital after a suicide attempt. His mom committed suicide when he was a kid. His dad is a crack addict. He's got fetal alcohol induced epilepsy. When he woke up in the hospital his dad was there and gave him a steak knife and told him to try harder the next time. He now lives a few blocks away from us on $800/month disability. He pays 700 of it to live on someone's couch and occasionally gets locked out when the guy has female company. If that sounds like a lot, studio/bachelors rent for $900 here, and you need things like jobs and deposits. There are hundreds of stories like that in our neighbourhood. Inner city, lots of poverty and drugs do not make for happy families and healthy parents. Zach is the only kid he knows with a mom and a dad who are still married and not drunks or addicts. We fed a kid today who is living in a tent because his dad was arrested for abusing his sister and their house got condemned by the city. His sister has disappeared into the sex trade. He spends all night walking the street trying to find her. I don't give them money. I don't fill my floors with kids. I only feed them and do some triage. I fix infected cuts and cut hair for job interviews, run them down to the Marian Centre for new clothes. I have done enough work at homeless shelters to know it can suck you dry if you let it. Mostly they need someone to listen to them and do a bit of mothering. They call me mamma bear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 Oh yeah, I also have an ironclad rule, no drugs, no drinking, and no smoking. If you're prescribed psychiatric meds, you have to take them. Everyone has to help out around the house. I haven't carried any groceries, or taken out the trash in a long time. They mow, shovel snow and sweep and vacuum. Bad manners get shown the door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureCarmeliteClaire Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 CatherineM. You are amazing. Seriously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinaSt.Cecilia2772 Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 I missed having you around Catherine. I've always loved the work and charity you do and bring to others. Thank you for your example of love to everyone you meet. It makes me want to try and work harder. I really mean this, and may God continue to bless you with strength and the endless love you have. I know it gets hard sometimes, but His love is what always brings us through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToJesusMyHeart Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 You're probably the coolest person I've "met" this whole year. "Come, you blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me. Then shall the just answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and fed thee; thirsty, and gave thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and covered thee? Or when did we see thee sick or in prison, and came to thee? And the king answering, shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me." -Matthew 25 +JMJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlesister Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 So hsappy to see you back! I tried to pm you but it wouldn't go through. We all missed you - open mic is not the same without your wit and your brood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 Our mortgage got approved today. That's pretty quick for Canada. The loan officer at the bank said with a 775 credit rating at 35% down payment, they don't even need to look at our income. Now all we have to do us figure out a way to make the payments. Time to finish my current book project I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmaD2006 Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 Our mortgage got approved today. That's pretty quick for Canada. The loan officer at the bank said with a 775 credit rating at 35% down payment, they don't even need to look at our income. Now all we have to do us figure out a way to make the payments. Time to finish my current book project I guess. YES!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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