Wow, I am off to study at CSU-Monterey Bay soon, I always am concerned about the age difference between the other students and myself. I have only had one group of young people not like me very much and it all stemmed from my U.S. History class at Butte College. It began with a debate about war and ended with a debate about the Iraq war, in particular. She and I were not aligned ideologically on this issue and the debate was ended by the professor, Christine Trolinger. I still drop by her office to check in and tell her about my adventures in learning. **professors become a great resource in future endeavors.
I digress, the same young lady was in my Congress class and our young men are still at war. I was not certain it was her, until I overheard an ideological type conversation occurring in the hallway and then I was certain it was her. I stopped going to class early, I got there right on time. I avoided her in this way and it seemed to work. I used the time to sit and read a few more minutes before class. I have not had any other problems with classmates and I am certainly hoping I get along well with the other interns. More of a concern is feeling I am the dumbest person in the room. I do not want to be the dumbest person in the room --EVER!!!
Tomorrow is Jaymi's 17th birthday and we do not even know where she is…we have been concerned about her for so long, I sometimes wake up in the mornings and cannot remember if she is missing or in someone's custody. Maybe someday I can help affect laws that will help other parents like me and Charlie. We have been through the wringer with Jaymi's illness looming over our heads each day; wondering where to turn next for help; losing employment; having meeting after meeting; creating plan after plan -- all while applying myself as a fulltime student. Jaymi will not be with us for her birthday, as she has been on the run since August 11. Friends and acquaintances, alike, have sighted her, but the authorities have not bothered to pick her up. I would go and find her, but she wouldn't get in my car. She would actually throw a fit on the side of the road if I tried to put her in the car. I will not fight with her anymore, so I follow my plan when I see her. I call the 24hour number and let them know I have seen her. When she is in these manic phases, I set her off, so I avoid this by following my plan. Some people would allow their children to go and do as they please, but Jaymi does not have the ability to differentiate between those people that may want to harm her and those people that want to help her. So, she will go with anyone that will take her where she wants to go. Next week, "TEAM Jaymi" will be holding a meeting and if all goes well, Jaymi will be found and sent to a residential treatment school in, Utah. This is the last resort on the part of our family to try and help our daughter. I love her very much and hope that one day she can, once again, become an active citizen in our community.
I am also concerned about my husband, Charlie. I hope that he can function without me there with him. He is always asking me to scratch his back and rub his shoulder. He loses things and he is famous for wondering where the puppy went. He left our other dog at his friends, grandma's house overnight one time. He did not even realize until it was time to feed the dog that it was missing. I hope he remember to feed the fish, we've had them for a while, so I'd like to keep them. He just started classes at Butte College and I hope he remembers to do his homework. I hope he can pay the electric bill, he leaves lights on, all over the house. I love my Charles though, he is a wonderful man!! He helped me get this far though college and he has stuck by Jaymi, even though he is stepdad. His family has taken me in as one of their own and that is certainly another reason to love Charlie. We have been through more together than a couple should have to bare, and we are still in the midst of many issues and concerns, however, we always make it through and I keep telling him that one day we will laugh about ours cars breaking down, living with friends and other odd locales, along with eating pancakes for dinner because that is all we had. I love Charlie, he's the greatest and the best friend I have.
We are going dancing Saturday night, the 1st, to celebrate my internship. I hope many of our friends turn out. We really like this band and are looking forward to dancing our little tails off. If you like to dance and want to say "god speed" come on out to Pigg's Pubb on Meyers in Oroville. It should be a fun night. The Daniel Traverse Band, from Chico will be playing and they are really magnificent musicians. They play NEW country rock and they can really rock out. Even if you don't dance DTB are great to watch as well.
Until next time, Eliza
