I Have Heard From Leah
April 6, 2008 | Check-in
I have just had a brief email exchange from Leah. The following are the pertinent points of information:
1) Although it’s true that she hasn’t been “communicado” of late, that applies not just to me but to her entire family on both sides. Her mother also admonished her that many family members are concerned that she isn’t talking much.
2) She has been going through a very rough time of late. I do not feel at liberty to discuss particulars, but suffice it to say that her cup overfloweth right at this moment, and not with “good stuff.”
3) I do feel to point out that one traumatic event was the death of her cousin Matt (son of Lynda’s sister Margaret) in a tragic automobile accident. This has been the toughest thing for her to deal with, but not the only thing.
4) Leah has decided to leave Mobile and move back to Birmingham this summer. Her lease is up in June and she’ll be leaving shortly thereafter. She plans to enroll at UAB in the fall. She has done well academically at South Alabama, and I hope she doesn’t have any trouble transferring her credits.
I guess one good thing about it is, Leah will be near a lot more of her family including Hillary. Perhaps some members of OUR family might have the opportunity to visit with her at some point in the future.
No one here who is a parent will fail to understand how, no matter how difficult and rocky your relationships with your children, you continue to love them and your heart yearns after them and after their welfare. Much of the “estrangement” between Leah and me is entirely my fault, and I know it. I don’t know what if anything I can do about it, but I do acknowledge it.
Please remember Leah in your prayers. I believe she would appreciate that very much.
2 Responses to “I Have Heard From Leah”
Bill, I’m so relieved and happy that you have heard from Leah. I wanted to write to her yesterday, but I had a bad day, and this one hasn’t been much better, and was interrupted with a doctor visit. I think my age isn’t helping me get better. But I do have good days, and I try to make them count. I am still going to write to her.
I am so sorry to hear of the death of Margaret’s son. That is very tragic. He can’t have been much older than Seay. I know the whole family has been torn apart over this, beause I do have to say this about Lynda’s family…they are very close, at least, she has always seemed to be very close to her sisters.
I haven’t received anything from Julia in acknowledgement of my letter yet. I even enclosed a self-addressed, stamped enveloped to make it easy for her to answer.
By mother on Apr 7, 2008
Mom, Matt was actually a bit younger than Seay, and in fact was a little younger than Hillary.
He’s the child that was deaf as a result of Meningitis. I remember that Margaret and her family had traveled from Louisiana to Birmingham to visit for the holidays, and Matt, who was less than one year old at the time, began running a high fever while they were on the road. He ended up in the hospital in Birmingham where they diagnosed bacterial Meningitis.
I don’t know any of the details of the accident, and I’ve not been able to find an email address for Margaret to extend my condolences, but perhaps Seay, Hillary or Leah will see this and respond.
By bill on Apr 8, 2008