1964

Reading family history and unwinding tangles...

July 7, 1964- Words can't explain the grief we feel for our little Timmy. We took him out to Newark and left him there. Our only comfort is that we're sure the Lord is with us in all this, and somehow He'll make the sun shine again. This is a terrible experience. Very tired. 11:25 PM.

July 8, 1964- Anguish, wild dreams, cold sweat, tears and terrible depression are words to describe our long night. But in all this the Lord was with us, Rough day, We miss our Timmy so. Worked. Tonight we've experienced some relief. Exhausted. Bed, 11:30 

The baby is me, they boys are my brothers. Life at home wasn't easy when I made my arrival. I'd like to think I was a distraction from the pain and sorrow, but as a parent I know better. Nothing assuages the anguish of hurting for your child. In this case my parents were admitting their non verbal 5 year old son to a state institution. He would be there for a month before they couldn't take it any more and brought him home for another year.

The following September Tim went to Elim Christian School (for the deaf, although he can hear) in Chicago. He stayed for the entire school year and did great, but when he returned for his second year it was decided he was too big a discipline issue and after 2 weeks my parents were notified to come get him. I was 2 1/2 years old. Believe it or not, I remember parts of the trip, especially the basket of toys on the car floor by Mom's feet and stopping at a motel late at night. A year later he would be readmitted to the State School.