Weird Ending ...

[Viki]

... so, OK, it was our anniversary today, but aside from spending about a total of 30 minutes together from the time she left this morning to the time I got home, about an hour ago, that was the extent of our celebration, which is all fine because we'll be kickin it up tomorrow night...

Still, something really difficult just happened and it all serves to remind me, once again, how blessed I am.

I sent Gwen to bed 45 minutes ago, because she's exhausted, but I needed time to wind down after working really hard this evening, helping a congregation which is losing its pastor of 21 years ...

Anyway, I'm eatin some beans and having a rum and coke, when suddenly I hear someone bangin at my back sliding glass door and who should it be but a neighbor that I've chatted with here and there, but that's it.

So, after I get the border collies to back down from full attack mode, she flings herself into my arms and shares that her husband was about to beat her, that when we thought she was taken to the hospital three months ago following an awful fall she has really tried to kill herself, and that all she wants to do is travel around the country with me, talkin about God, because she hates her life ....

Oh, my, all I can say is thank goodness for her I'm a religious professional ...

I took her in, calmed her down, cleaned her up, and eventually, once I was pretty sure she wasn't in immediate danger (it appears her husband has passed out), sent her back home.

I'm gonna stay up a bit longer just to see if she comes back and needs help.

OK, so let me say that although this has been less than the ideal 21st anniversary celebration day, I just got a glimpse of how very thankful I need to be ....

 

[rosiep]

Wow Viki!

God Bless your presence of mind. I grew up in a violent household and not a day goes by that I don't thank God for the wonderful life that I'm living today. I'm sorry you're Anniversary was uneventful...but it's good to remember how everyday should be a celebration.
Keep us posted.

 

[ConcKahuna]

Wow, what a night. My father was abusive to my mother (never in front of us kids thankfully, I found out about it after he died), and so after one fight where he punched her so she broke 2 of his ribs and his nose, she left him. After a seperation of a few years, he had stopped drinking as much and she gave him a second chance. I wouldn't have, but at least the abuse stopped. He died of lung cancer not long after and while that made things tough on my family, I think it was the first time my mother was free from both his abuse and her feeling that they should stay together just for us kids.

Hopefully your neighbor will be able to get herself free, and she is lucky to have you nearby

 

[Viki]

Wow, guys, thank you for sharing those stories...you remind me why we do what we do ...

I did stay up about another hour last night, but there was no further incident so I went to bed. I'll be gone most of the morning and again tonight, but I'll be lookin for her when I get a chance and I suspect she does know she can come over.

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Poor lady.

 

[PennyW]

I'm glad you were able to be there for her. That's such a terrible situationl.

 

[Peepster]

God puts us in special places for special times, right, Viki?

And, very happy wishes on your 21st!

 

[Viki]

God puts us in special places for special times, right, Viki?

And, very happy wishes on your 21st!

Thanks, friend, and I'm glad I could get out of myself and recognize that ...


Update: I've been runnin all day and I've seen her husband now and then, but not her ...

 

[Saxton]

Vicki - congrats to you and Gwen! Two great kids and a wonderful relationship ... you have a lot to be thankful for.

As for your neighbor, I was recently involved in a domestic violence training. Since I'm a computer geek it really wasn't my area but as a manager I had to be there. Our cases are Federal which doesn't really involve domestic violence on the original charges but typically there are other issues involved, domestic violence being one. If you haven't done so already you might want to suggest that she get an escape plan in place. She should think about a few safe places she could go to in advance -in the heat of the moment it's difficult to think clearly so a plan is needed. Also, suggest to her that she gets copies made of all important documents - birth certificate, bank statements, etc. and give them to someone to store in a safe place. There are many resources available and I hope she can get out safely.

Hey, be thankful - I have a neighbor who fixed my mailbox with duct tape when a snowplow knocked it down and loves to talk about many topics ... including his prostate problems!

 

[Boston5602]

Happy Anniversary to both of you. It's a wonderful thing that she had someone like you to go to. How many people would have just closed the shades and yelled at her to go home? Some people just won't get involved.

I'm sorry you and Gwen didn't spend time together , but thankfully you were able to be there for someone who needed you too.


Peace and Love

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

You know? I'm seeing a serene sort of beauty and a wonderful sense of maturity in the way your day played out. It was an important day for you both. Anniversaries are pretty special events! But your lives didn't allow you to have the conventional sort of celebration with fancy dinner, date, or what have you.

You went on through your day, knowing (more importantly showing) each of you loves the other.

You were there for your neighbor, who clearly needs outside help.

If you weren't so secure in your love for one another, so mature in your outlook on life, I wonder what would have happened to your neighbor?

 

[Viki]

Well, as I've come to expect from you all, your comments and advice are filled with loads of wisdom ... thank you.

I did assure my Bonnie that she could always come here and she took to that right away, wanting to come everywhere with me (god bless her), but copying important papers in addition to that is a super idea.

Gwen and I did celebrate last night ... lovely but, again, weren't home much. Today, however, we're here almost all day and we'll be grillin (hey, Mike!) some steaks tonight, all of which we'll position ourselves to be where both of em might be.

My sense is it's been an abusive relationship from the start; they met in a bar 8 years ago and you all know I do like to have a drink now and then ... but I would guess they abuse alcohol and each other in a number of ways ...

 

[OrlandoMike]

Whats hitting the grill? Beef? Fish? Foul?

More importantly, what are ya gonna be drinking?

 

[ConcKahuna]

What kind of steaks? I'm a fan of a nice thick NY strip or porterhouse, cook it on high heat with worcheshire sauce (probably spelled wrong) and cook it hot so it's a little crispy on the outside but still pink inside.

Man I'm hungry now lol

 

[Viki]

Wow, guys, who's hungry and thirsty out there ....

Everybody calm down ...

Gwen and I finally celebrated the old anniversary last night (she's still out; don't expect to see her for a couple hours yet) .... so I'm takin everything sloooowww ...

Anyway, the steaks are delmonicos - they've been really good lately and I'm sure I'll have a bit of wine, but just a bit because I'll be working hard tomorrow, leading TWO worship services in a place that I've never been ... so I will have to be ON my game ....

 

[OrlandoMike]

UMMMM

Perhaps a nice Ceasar Salad, some baked potatoes and fresh grilled veggies!

YUM!

Alas, working a double here today, so my grilling will have to wait till tomorrow evening.

Enjoy Viki!

 

[Viki]

UMMMM

Perhaps a nice Ceasar Salad, some baked potatoes and fresh grilled veggies!

YUM!

Alas, working a double here today, so my grilling will have to wait till tomorrow evening.

Enjoy Viki!

OK, so after you're done pullin the doubles could ya stop by here and make that ...

 

[OrlandoMike]

No problem, get out the blender!

I'll need coco lopez, pinapple juice, some nice Puerto Rican rum, some romaine lettuce, some Ceaser dressing, croutons, and for veggies, lets see....hmmmm the corn on the cob should be great in your area this time of year right?

 

[Viki]

No problem, get out the blender!

I'll need coco lopez, pinapple juice, some nice Puerto Rican rum, some romaine lettuce, some Ceaser dressing, croutons, and for veggies, lets see....hmmmm the corn on the cob should be great in your area this time of year right?

Super, dude ... bring it! Gosh, I hope I make it to work tomorrow ....

 

[ConcKahuna]

No problem, get out the blender!

I'll need coco lopez, pinapple juice, some nice Puerto Rican rum, some romaine lettuce, some Ceaser dressing, croutons, and for veggies, lets see....hmmmm the corn on the cob should be great in your area this time of year right?

Corn on the cob was on sale at Publix, I think it was 10 ears for $3. Of course it was cheaper at The Root Of All Evil, but I digress.