He wore shorts and a winning smile, despite his artificial leg that went all the way to his hip. I was at a High School Graduation Party for Leisha’s youngest daughter, Ruby and Mark was one of the guests. Mark and Dave, Leisha’s husband, have known each other since grade school amd while Dave had gone in a positive direction, Mark went the way of alcoholism. He is now recovered and is striving forward with only one good leg. He fell when he was inebriated and broke his leg in numerous places and it became infected and that’s why it needed to be amputated. Too bad he didn’t go on the wagon before that happened.
He wasn’t sure he could take care of a cat but decided he could and you can tell that cat is a morale booster. And, of course, the relationship Mark has with Leisha and Dave and their family is a huge help on his forward journey.
I keep in touch with my friend Bernie who has had more than her share of tragedy in her life. The worst was so devastating that it hit nationwide newspapers and TV news. Her daughter’s house in Pennsylvania caught fire (they never did find out the cause). Bernie’s daughter, Lisa and her husband, Doug and their daughter, Brittany managed to escape but when they realized that their son, Douglas was still in the house, Doug went back in to try to save him. Unfortunately they both perished.
Fate wasn’t done with that family yet. Bernie’s husband, Jack had alzheimers for a number of years after that, and she cared for him at home without any aides until he was sent to a hospital due to a fall and then to a rehab facility where he died. After that Lisa developed cancer but despite doctor’s predictions, she is now cancer free.
Now Bernie is always in good spirits when I talk to her and is resuming recreational activities as is her daughter. Brittany just had a baby boy which made Bernie a great-grandmother and is a joy for all of them. They are all striving forward despite the tragedies they experienced.