What is really going on....

I don't know. Clouds are starting to clear, and yet, there are still issues. Of which I'm not really a part of and yet, I have become involved. As have others.

The granddaughter with the wicked step-mother. The granddaughter is actually doing quite well and is bringing her grades up (from a D to a B, I think) because she is 1) doing her homework and 2) getting help when she needs it, and 3) being encouraged to think it through and complete it. It's only been a couple weeks since everything blew wide open. It sure does seem like a lot longer. Yeah, things have calmed down somewhat.

The step-mother found a "good-bye" note written by the granddaughter in the car when she was cleaning it out. Issues brought out were her parents divorce (typical) and a few other things. Interestingly enough, although I have not seen the actual note, the daughter has and the stepmother is not listed as an issue at all. Isn't that interesting. Of course some in the family don't care for the stepmother, i.e., her constantly shrieking high-pitch voice and ramblings about nothing and always having to 'have a friend who, that happened to me, I did that, I went there, I I I I' comment.... anyway, I digress.

I do know that the stepmother is vicious in degrading and putting down my son's children, especially if they do something wrong. She thinks her son is perfect and he is her idol. No one compares to him in her eyes because 'she wasn't supposed to have any children'. Good thing it stopped with one! (Did I really say that out loud?) Sigh. She sometimes brings out the worst in me.

It has been an inconvenience of sorts - the daughter is a lyft driver and has had to quit early every day to pick the granddaughter up from school and then help with homework, fix dinner, etc. She loses about 3-4 hours a day income. Since it is vital right now to have the income, it hurts financially. But, at least the weekends another granddaughter has responsibility or we have her. It hasn't been too bad.... but I wonder if we are just making it too easy on the one granddaughter. Where are her daily chores, etc. Maybe after this weekend, we need to return her to her stepmother... and yet, I hate for her to be in that predicament again. The son won't be home until May or so, he says. We all want to help, but....

We have the granddaughter this weekend and we are taking her to see her father at the hospital. He is wanting to spend some time with her alone to discuss the letter so I'm hoping we will have some time to visit our other granddaughter and great-granddaughter while in Tucson. Although they may be coming up here as her other grandmother is ill and in the hospital. I will wait until we are down there and know what is going on before I contact her. Don't want her to wait for us and then we don't get the opportunity to visit for a little bit. I'm hoping we can before we leave, anyway, if she is in town.

On the other hand, I wish I knew how to help my other daughter-in-law. I know she is spending a lot of time at the hospital with her mother. Maybe I can fix dinner Sunday for the family. Will have to see what I can do. It's always good news when I read her mother is doing better. I wish I didn't have to work and could take time off to help with the family meals. But, it just isn't possible.

Sometimes I get really frustrated I have to work. I would much rather be busy helping family in tough times. But for now, that's my life. I like my job, love the people I work with. I just don't find enjoyment in the work. Doesn't that give me permission to retire? But then, the bills won't get paid. Need to work on emptying out the house and put it up for sale, find a smaller place, and then make my plans. Hopefully within the next few years I can be in a position to walk away. I would love that.

Gotta get back to work!

Blessings!