Re: Christmas events - Raena

December 13, 2001

> Raena,

> OK, now I see why your view of the holidays and mine differ

significantly. You continue to try - - I gave up long ago LOL!!>>

Grace,

I'm still plugging away at it...mainly because my other three need to

have a life outside these walls and some semblance of a " regular "

world. They feel bad if I don't go have " fun " , too, and I can't put

that on them...

It works okay in small doses.

I, too, have pretty much stopped going to church because there is

absolutely NOTHING there for ...consequently there is nothing

for me. I used to take him and go into the nursery where he could

play (okay, stim) and I could listen on the speaker, but now he is

way too big and would be a danger to the little guys...so we left. I

have tried to get a " special needs " class going, so that at least

there would be a room set up for him, but the church we go to is so

small and so poor that they haven't been able to fund it so far. SO,

I either drop off the three older kids or send them with my husband

(he leaves early because he plays piano/organ for the service), then

and I go for a ride in the car until time to pick the kids up.

We eat a lot of french fries and take it all in stride. Oh well. I

listen to a TV preacher (found one I could stand...) when I can to

try to keep my balance.

Good luck to you; I understand what you mean.

Raena

December 13, 2001

>

> I'm still plugging away at it...mainly because my other three need to

> have a life outside these walls and some semblance of a " regular "

> world. They feel bad if I don't go have " fun " , too, and I can't put

> that on them...

My situation exactly. Can't deprive the other kids of a life.

I

> have tried to get a " special needs " class going, so that at least

> there would be a room set up for him, but the church we go to is so

> small and so poor that they haven't been able to fund it so far.

Raena:

I am so sorry to hear this. My church (which is large and wealthy) hired a

private religious ed teacher for Putter and they are gradually (so far with

no luck) trying to introduce him into a regular class with his teacher (who

is a special ed teacher, by the way). Of course, Putter will not have

religioius ed on Christmas Eve mass so I guess I will have to figure

something out. It REALLY feels wrong to miss church on Christmas Eve.

SO,

> I either drop off the three older kids or send them with my husband

> (he leaves early because he plays piano/organ for the service), then

> and I go for a ride in the car until time to pick the kids up.

> We eat a lot of french fries and take it all in stride. Oh well. I

> listen to a TV preacher (found one I could stand...) when I can to

> try to keep my balance.

It is so hard. I spent most of the summer missing Mass which I hate to do

because my church closed the nursery for the summer. No solution was found

for Putter who will not go into the cry room (he acts as if he is entering

his grave...)

Salli

December 13, 2001

Raena -

All that occurs to me is that this is unfair.

To you, to your family, to everyone. ( So much of life in unfair, isn't it?

But then again, I have to believe that things become fair with time....

As far as MY not attending church..... I know YOU understand. I just hope

SOMEONE ELSE understands, you know LOL? I should attempt it again, especially

since I did find that church that has these services, but it's been hard trying

to motivate myself to try again. I've only recently started shopping with

children in tow again. That's been fun, but church... in front of other

people??? <sweat... sweat....>

Grace