Grab a Broom

In past years, Michael's sister Anna used to go through a lot of hard times. When everything seems to turn bad, she would sprinkle some holy water around the house then sweep all the bad stuff out the front door. Somehow, this seemed to bring goodness back into her life.

She phoned Saturday. That morning, her daughter April, husband Steve and little Stephen were in their Honda SUV driving north to the twin's house to buy car parts for their VW Bus. Something happened. Steve over corrected. They hit every side of the car into barbed wire fencing along the freeway. Every panel of the car was destroyed except the hood and trunk. The car was still drivable, they arrive and had the twin check it out. I learned yesterday that they drove home Sunday and the insurance company is going to total the car. No one was hurt, thank goodness.

Anna's son, Daniel and his wife have been working their brains out as Christina was going to nursing school and working while Daniel had two jobs. In this state, there are no nursing jobs. None. She has her license. No jobs. They have two young children and cannot even cover their expenses since she no longer gets student loans for being in school. Anna and Doug are trying to help them as much as they can but eventually, something else has to happen.

Their younger son, William began college yesterday. Fees. Books. Gas. Auto.

Her mom has been calling. She has eczema on her lips and has been in pain. She finally discovered that it was not eczema but out of control GUM DISEASE. I panicked having just seen Dr. G. Medical Examiner about a guy who died from gum disease going to his heart. Also, her computer finally died. She and her son Matt, who lives with her, are so depressed. They don't get dressed or see the outside world for weeks at a time. They don't eat well. They don't exercise. On the phone, Anna had been kind of rough with her about not taking care of herself and letting everything get so out of control. Mary started to cry. Anna started to cry feeling so helpless. At last reading on Facebook, Mary is still looking for a dentist after Anna told her to just go to her doctor to begin antibiotics....Can lead the horse to water...

Hearing all of these stories on Saturday, I reminded Anna about her ritual of holy water and a good broom. She started to laugh. She was heading out the door to get some holy water as we said our goodbyes.