Uncle Frank

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Our next door neighbor is in his late 60’s. He is a retired blue collar worker.   His wife passed away from lung cancer last year. He was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease that has been progressing quickly.

His story is very similar to many in the US right now. His medical bills and medication costs out reach his monthly pension payout and SSI.

Things have reached a point where he can no longer afford his home. He needs daily help medically. His family lives far away.   About 3 months ago he made the decision to move into a local nursing facility.He was able to take some of his personal affects with him.

Yesterday the constables office arrived at his home. We kind of had an idea this was coming.

All of the remaining personal affects in the house were placed at the street. Immediately my children started asking questions. The little kids wanted to know why those mean guys were putting Uncle Frank’s stuff outside.   Our 12 year old was able to absorb it a little differently- what do you mean the bank is taking his home back? What does that mean, mom?

Throughout the day random people stopped by taking chairs, bookcases, blankets, shelves and toted them off. It was really such a weird thing to see. As we would leave to run errands a new group of people would be stopped in front of Uncle Frank’s house. Loading things into their truck. I wondered it they had given any thought to the story behind each thing they loaded into their vehicle. Did they need these tables they were taking? Were they going to sell them? I really just wanted to keep my kids away from here all day.

I was not prepared to explain this to any of my kids. I was not prepared for their questions or their reactions. Honestly, I was not prepared for how sad it would make me.

Tell me, as these situations are happening all over the world right now in an economy that struggles every day, have you been pressed with these issues to explain to your children? How do we even find the words?

Happy posts to come, I promise. This situation just really has not settled with me yet. (And I have always promised to keep it real.)