When we arrived in Allegheny National Forest, it was raining on our side of the mountains. We got camp set up that first Sunday afternoon and hoped the rain would stop. Monday, we headed out, even though it was still raining. Not too far away, on the other side of the mountains, the sun was shining. We visited Kinzua Bridge State Park.
On July 21, 2003 an F1 tornado came through and destroyed the park and ripped the anchor bolts from the ground. In two minutes, 11 steel towers lay in a twisted tangle on the valley floor. It is amazing what nature can do! We walked out on the bridge and we hiked down to the valley floor.
Lots of memories were made on this week-long vacation. We didn’t do a lot, but yet we did. Ghost had an amazing time camping with us, too. He really enjoys being with us and all the hikes. He even had fun hunting for waterfalls with us. We trekked around forest roads, using forest road maps and GPS coordinates to find some pretty amazing waterfalls.
As we drove around in my Jeep, we saw lots of people who were dispersed camping in the forest. Some of the sites looked pretty janky. I told Marty, “They probably murdered someone and are running from the law.” It looked THAT sketchy. When we got back, we found a news story that there had been an escaped prisoner who was a murder suspect running loose in the Allegheny National Forest. He was captured after we returned. I thought is was odd that none of the park rangers told us there was a murder suspect on the loose.
My youngest is still living with his uncle. Word on the street is that he’s been fired from the family business for being late frequently and not showing up. He continues to work part-time at a coffee shop over an hour away. I keep praying for him and for them. A mama’s heart never stops praying. Just because I gave him the boot, doesn’t mean I’m not thinking about him. Tough love solves more problems than enabling, that’s for sure.
He’s likely driving the un-insured car, too. He sits in a room and works at a coffee shop. If he actually has a job at a coffee shop. Unless he is allowed to hit rock bottom, he will keep using any family member who will take him in. Like my therapist reminded me months ago, “He wants free rent with no responsibility. He wants to sit in a basement/room, do his drugs without anyone bothering him.” If he has a roof over his head –that he doesn’t have to pay for—- and food in his belly —-that he doesn’t have to pay for—– he’s doing exactly what he wants. Not making him pay car insurance or any bills only exacerbates the problem.
Adulting is hard. I expected him to have a job, have a registered car with car insurance. That is want adults in my house do. It is sad to see enablers enable. Especially since this is the same road I walked with all three of my brothers. My parents allowed all 3 do do drugs with no consequences. My parents allowed them to live rent-free without being employed. David, my youngest, had mental issues that were compounded by drug use. I have no doubt that drugs played a role in his suicide. Steve died from a drug overdose. My parents let him live rent-free and gave him $600 in cash when he supposedly found a job in a town a few hours south. He needed money for a hotel. Never give a drug addict cash. He bought crank with the cash — the rest is history. He had an autopsy –which made for a great funeral. He had staples in his skull that his balding head couldn’t hide. Mike is presumed dead. Heroin addict no one has been able to find since our mother died in 2014. But what do I know about drug addicts? DW, WD and that whole family think I am clueless. I really wish they would have backed me last year when I had him involuntarily committed.
My Little Red Bike 