Week 43
October
20th-26th |
Some beautiful fall
weather much of this week (although typical fall rain
and wind on the weekend) -
One of
our friends turned 50 a couple of months ago -- and
us and 2 other families decided that a suitable birthday
present would be a week end in Copenhagen, Denmark (with
us!!) this week for him and his wife. So we all got babys sitters
and the 8 of us piled into our
mini-bus and had a very
enjoyable time in our neighboring countrys capital city. (There
are a few pix amongst our October family pictures) -
Then some of our Iraqian Curdish freinds had a
birthday party for a 1 year old (a big thing in
their culture) that we were invited to -- -
On Sunday Ellen and a friend took the train (a 14
hour
trip) to Umeå in northern Sweden for a visit with
Mireilles sister
Nathalie - This coming week is fall break from
school, so they can stay a few days.
While we were in
Copenhagen our children represented Mireille at a 100th
birthday celebration for
a woman that had 'adopted' Mireille as an
'extra grandchild' when Mireille was little - and
Mireille has kept
contact since. |
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Week 42
October
13th-19th |
For me this week has
gone quickly -- a number of programming jobs that
finally got done -- The kids are all fine and looking
forward to fall break in another week - An
early-teenage girl came to our family on acute placement
this week -- time will see if she stays with us, or is
eventually placed somewhere else. As most will
understand, there is always an enormous amount of tragedy in
cases like this -- and however tough sometimes
life may seem to us, it has never been much compared to
the volume of things 'that didn't work out' for this little one.
Also, just try and imagine how it feels for her mom,
dad and 5 siblings -- regardless who may bare responsibility
for the horrible
underlying reasons!!!
I spent
Saturday
morning on an assignment as visitor in one of the remand
(in custody, awaiting trial) centers of our Swedish
justice system. This is something I find interesting and
enriching, although in many cases quite heart wrenching
. One was a lovely 22 year old girl, first time in
custody, although with a 6 year, 'hidden-from-family'
drug addiction in her life baggage. (Crystal meth)
Getting caught was likely the best thing
that could have happened for her -- and through her
agony, I think she understood this-- but it is a deep
and dark
pit to try and climb out of. The only ladder is a
narrow and shaky -- and it can only be climbed alone!!! Few
make it all the way.
Mireille spent Sunday afternoon/evening
in Gothenburg with Emma-- They ate out and then went to
listen to a South African gospel choir "Soweto
Gospel Choir" in the evening. Mireille and I
drove through
Soweto (suburb till Johanesburg) when we were in South Africa a number of
years ago. It was like this pix as far as the eye could
see. |
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Week 41
October
6th-12th |
Another fairly ordinary week - medium
weather - medium activity. Lots of meetings regarding
our family home status with social services. Seems final
now that our contract will now be more for 'acute
teenage placement' -- this will mean that we will
have much shorter notice and information at placement --
but in return will perhaps not have to get as
emotionally involved with each new kid. The
increased 'turn-over' will likely also mean an increased
contact/meeting load for me, with all the involved
parties. (social workers, parents and relatives, justice
authorities, therapy centers, school etc)
Mireille was
happy to find out her employer is sending her on another
class this fall to strengthen her position in her work.
Rebecka and Ellen both have after school jobs now, and
are glad for them (and for the extra money they
generate!!) Beckas employer is feeling the economic
crunch of the financial crisis -- hope it is soon over! |
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Week 40
October
1st-5th |
This first week has been full -Our
kids are busy in school - Mireille has worked intensely
at the same time as she wasn't feeling too well for some
undefined reason - Finally took the day off on Friday.
Otherwise Thursday was interesting for me -- The
national board of Verdandi (the social help organization
I am involved with) visited our local facilities - and
presented some newer possibilities the government has
opened up for alleviating social exclusion in some of
the groups we work with (refugees, folks in poverty, alcohol and
drug abuse, mental illness etc etc)
Then there are two new kids in the
process of introduction to our home and family. A number
of meetings this week with all the 'involved'. --
The "unresolved" aspects of trauma
in 'less than
ideal life situation' has brought us into their
picture -- We will see if they can regard us as part of
some kind of new beginning -- or just a new problem imposed by
social services!! At the moment, either they aren't
really sure yet --- or possibly the chaos of
"today" has pushed decision making into "tomorrow".
In any case neither have shown up for the weekend as planed. |
