My Brother’s Keeper
Lest you suspect I am naïvely setting myself up for a huge letdown, let me set the record straight. I know that as tough as Debbie’s path is, she must ultimately walk it herself. Although it is seldom of comfort in situations like Debbie’s, a belief that nothing is wasted—including and especially the most wretched and unimaginable suffering—is central to my life philosophy. I know from bitter experience that all the wishing in the world will not send angels down to pluck you off your pot-holed road if that is the route you are destined to travel in order to learn what you are supposed to learn in this life. I don’t know why Debbie’s road is what it is, but I recognize that it is undeniably hers.
On the other hand, I also believe in everyday miracles.
I was still trying to understand how she got to where she is today. The complexity of Debbie’s story thickened as she continued to tell it:
“I never got rich financially off the theater, but rich from giving back. And it made me a pay check. I lost that business just before my husband died due to his need for me to care for him and high medical bills. Six months after his death, one of my daughters, then ten, had to have open heart surgery, which left her somewhat disabled. Today she is twenty, but I can’t get any help for her. They say she is not disabled enough. So we care and provide for her as best we can.
I have also been raising my grandson from birth. His mother was a victim of bad abuse when he was born so he has been with me since he was six weeks old. My husband died when my grandson was one. My grandson spent most of his school years in special education. But my current husband fought for him and his education and took on the schools all the way to the courts to get this kid out of special education and the chance to have a better future. I am proud to say he has been in general education now for two years and doing very well. It takes a lot of work from us to help him get good grades. Just two years ago, he could not do simple math or even hold a pen correctly. Now he is much better.”
