Just as I thought things were going along swimmingly, life happened. Mom called last night to tell me that my brother had had one of his episodes. He got angry about something that had nothing to do with her and hit her with a broom handle across the side of her face that has paralysis. I couldn't go to her because I'm right at empty. But if I had gone, I'd have made things worse. I waited a little while and then I called down there to see if things had cooled off. I spoke to my brother first. He is sorry for what he did and knows he did wrong. She'll have a bruise there and she'll have to report it. I'm calling their case worker today. It's time Barry went to a group home or something. Mom can't handle him any more.

I called Carolyn, one of Mom's caseworkers, this morning to report what happened last night. I understood that she had an appointment for a home visit today. I didn't talk to her directly then but I left a voice mail. Later Mom dropped by the school with another caseworker as I was taking two student to lunch. Betty, the caseworker that takes her to the store, the doctor, etc, and I met for the first time. Mom was giving me gas money so that I'd be able to get around until pay day. I didn't ask her to, it was given of her own free will. She will get it back double when pay day rolls around. Anyway Betty and I briefly discussed the situation with my brother. She's witnessed Barry's behavior more than once and reported it. They didn't stay long as I was trying to get my kids through the lunch line and ready for early release from school. The rain has come down and the floods have come up.

Carolyn called me back once I had gotten home. We discussed the situation and we were both in agreement that Barry isn't taking his medication properly. We discussed the possibility of him going into the hospital for a medical evaluation. She said she was going to talk to her supervisor to see what she could do in the situation. She's seen his extreme behavior, too. Mom called a little while ago and said that Barry would be taking one of his medications by shot once a month. I guess the strong armed him pretty well. I expect to hear back from Carolyn. She had told me she would call me back to tell me what happened.

In the mean time I've had a song going through my head. All I can hear is, "I'm going home." So naturally, I had to go looking for the song.


I'm Going Home

As sung by Chris Daughtry

I'm staring out into the night,
Trying to hide the pain.
I'm going to the place where love
And feeling good don't ever cost a thing.
And the pain you feel's a different kind of pain.

Chorus
I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old
So I'm going home.
Well I'm going home.

The miles are getting longer, it seems,
The closer I get to you.
I've not always been the best man or friend for you.
But your love, remains true.
And I don't know why.
You always seem to give me another try.

So I'm going home.

Chorus x2