Like everyone else – I’m frantically trying to get ready for the holidays.
We don’t even have a tree up. We were going to get one last weekend but Andrew was upset because we weren’t cutting it down like we do every year. So we decided to try to do that this coming weekend…now Jim has a project at work – and most places are too far away – so we’re going to go back to Lowe’s and pretend we cut it down.
I make promises for get togethers and I don’t want to do them. I just want to be left alone in my quiet to watch Golden Girls and forget everything. I want to get the family’s gifts out and be done with Christmas.
There was a time when December was my favorite month – my birthday, Christmas – the promise of wondrous things. Just promises.
The phone rang at noon today. It was the assistant principal. Andrew tried to jump from the second floor balcony and he said he wanted to kill himself. My throat tightens up as my fingers type these words. “You need to come and get him and maybe call his therapist.”
I get to the school and all the pitiful looks – “I lay my head on the railroad track, waiting for the Double E – but that train don’t come round here no more….poor, poor pitiful me.” I smile and tell them that their lunch smells good. I feel awkward.
The receptionist tells me Andrew is down in the lunch bunch room – – you know what the lunch bunch room is — the place where Andrew goes to sit with the social worker – it’s a fucking broom closet. Wet mop smell and all. I make my way down to Andrew and the social worker. And by the way the lunch bunch consists of Andrew and the social worker and the mop bucket.
Andrew starts in by telling me that I don’t love him and neither does his father and he figures he might as well be dead. I wonder as he is telling me this if I could just stick my head in the wet mop bucket — and do myself in – but I have no idea where the bucket is – I know it is here somewhere – I can smell it.
We talk for a few minutes. We go up to Andrew’s classroom – where his teacher tells me – this all started because another child got a book Andrew wanted in the library. We pack his backpack and we head home.
Now the staff will have to find a new quiet place for Andrew to work – because they won’t let him work near the ledge anymore.
I don’t want to be on the ledge anymore.
I e-mailed the therapist and sent her a text. She is in Canada.
Sending you big hugs across the Rockies. My heart breaks for you and for Andrew. I wish I knew some magic words, but I don’t. Just know you are always in my heart and prayers.
Reading this I’ve been trying to think of a single reason why you should still be sane and functioning. I couldn’t think of one…but yet you are…and you keep putting one foot in front of the other.
but..in my heart I KNOW why you’re able to move forward…For The Love of Andrew.
Your perseverance and courage inspire me… I think you should consider legally changing your name to Amazing Jenny Hartin because you are.
xoxo
Hugs… I’ve been in similar places. I have no words of wisdom but am sending all of my love and support to hold you up. Xoxo Kerrey
Thoughts and prayers for you. Let Andrew know there are so many people all over who think he’s pretty awesome, even people who have never met him.
Jenny you are one of the best mothers i know. i’m aware that andrew is quite a handful but you love him to no end. and you will succeed in doing what you need to do to make him secure in your and Jim’s love for him. he’s such a special young man and he brings a lot of joy to our lives. i just wish he could see himself the way we see him. my prayers will be going forth for you to make it through this difficult situation. i know you’ll will come out stronger in the end.
oh sweetie I am so so sorry you are going through this right now, or ever for that matter.
I know there is nothing I can say, at all to make this better, I wish I could.
You are one of the most AMAZING women and mothers I know, and my life wouldn’t be the same without you. You make a HUGE difference in THE WORLD!!!!!
Thinking of you and praying for you <3 xoxoxo
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
oh sweetie I am so so sorry you are going through this right now, or ever for that matter.
I know there is nothing I can say, at all to make this better, I wish I could.
You are one of the most AMAZING women and mothers I know, and my life wouldn’t be the same without you. You make a HUGE difference in THE WORLD!!!!!
Thinking of you and praying for you <3 xoxoxo
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!