Diario de unity1234, 04 may. 22

This touched my heart. We’d have less young people on the street if more people had a heart like yours to take in those that need a chance to catch their breath like you said. Just beautiful. God bless you. My husband and I have done a lot of street ministry with the homeless. It’s heart wrenching to hear their stories how their families have nothing to do with them many times. 

I knew I had crossed some threshold when I ceased to be the person who had to crash on someone's couch and became the one with the couch. A lot of us benefited from the grace and generosity of friends and family. Good for you  

writingwyo and wifey, thank you so very much for your kind words! I was practically made for this scenario. My grandfather was orphaned when he was a teenager and his family would not take him in; so he spent his teenage years in the orphanage. My brother is mentally ill (under control with lithium and Risperdal). My brother is only okay because my family was able to afford a place for him to live in. It is extremely difficult to live in the same house with someone who is mentally ill. Unbelievably difficult. And this is one reason many mentally ill people are on the street. Our young people need us. It only hurts us all in the end when we don't help our young people.  

You are awesome and the word doesn't even come close to describing your strength of character. Your nephew is fortunate to have such a great family member. My grandma and her siblings were orphans - ages 6 month to 17 years old. They ended up all over the place - some in orphanages till they aged out. Others adopted out. The oldest got married. My grandmother reunited them all later in her life when she was no longer dirt poor. She was able to buy tombstones for her mother, father, and grandma. Definitely, may God bless you! Big time! 

I read about the many homeless who are mentally ill. What a terrifying fate! I'm so glad that you've been able to provide welcome and safety for your nephew when he needs it.  

MorticiaAddams, thank you so much! My grandfather was the last child of many and was a teenager during the Depression. His mother (my great grandma) was in her 40s when he was born and he was born with one leg much shorter than the other. And so after my great grandma died (great grandpa died in prision), no one wanted to take care of him b/c they were worried about money. He aged out of the orphanage and got a job in a metal etching factory. He died very young for today's standards. But I am a better person for knowing his story and about his bravery and persistence. May we all be as persistent in our goals no matter how humble.  

erikahollister, yes, it is a vicious cycle. And what is maybe more frustrating is that according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in order to hold a job counseling people with mental illness and drug problems you need a Master's degree, but the median annual salary was around $40K last I checked. So what do we expect? How much we pay people who help society's most vulnerable says a lot about what we value. You know? 

That is very sad about your grandpa. He would have been proud to know how you have turned out. Hugs.