It continues on... despite the fact it's my Birthday tomorrow.

         I can't explain why they focus on ruining anything that might bring me the slightest bit of joy or healing from what has been a horrific experience. In 2012, they essentially removed me from managing my mother's care. She lasted a little over a year without my dedication and attention to the details of her medicine regimen. I talk about this extensively at:

nowakingup.blogspot.com

I would be writing a post there, but they continue to hack my Google accounts. Email inbox manipulated, forwards to non-existent pages... I can't even access the primary emails I was attempting to establish business platforms on (Whatsapp and Facebook) since they have somehow dried up my normal work as a handyman (Carpentry, painting, remodels and renovations here in Fresno) the very town I was born and raised in. 

I thought I had support in this community. I mean, I grew up here, played little league, Pop-Warner football, acted in the local dinner theater, Roger Rocka's Good Company Players... I was even in their Junior Company's cable access television show where I hosted episodes with the Air National Guard, getting to sit in a F- model fighter jet, after completing a session in the simulator at Fresno Air Terminal. When Fresno State's football stadium was built, I was one of the first to stand on the 50 yard line for another episode.

YMCA Indian Guides, Church (Wesley Methodist & Church of Latter Day Saint's), Boy Scouts, summer camps at Camp Sequoia and Calvin Crest... I was even Technical Director for the Veteran's Memorial Auditorium one year building sets for the Fresno Children's Playhouse.

I'm at a loss for words to describe how disgusted I am with what has become of a once wonderful place to grow up in. This assasination of my character, with my Mom's early death... my grandmother dying in the care of strangers .  Family heirlooms were looted from  her residence, my tools so that I was without means to return to work after the 10 years or so lost to this supposed "game" of theirs...

The worst part? I've tried at every turn to put my best foot forward. Meet them with mutual respect and consideration for the fact that there must have been some sort of misinformation spread out within the community.

 

I just don't know what has gone so wrong with the way people treat the elderly. I didn't expect to find myself caring for my Mom and Gran in my 40s. But I saw the need. I had held my Mom's Mom... Mumsie's hand when she passed. Had hoped to do that for the other Great Women of my life. 

I just don't get it.

It's like they just don't respect that around here anymore.

You know, I just tried to post my Gran's obituary. And those responsible for this mess... shitshow is more like it... decided it would be more fun to block it. 

Here's the text: 

Mildred Thompson passed away peacefully at home in Clovis, CA, on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at the age of 103. Mildred was born in Addington, OK in 1913. She married Burl Thompson in 1941, and they spent 45 years together. Mildred earned a degree from Central State Teachers College in the 1930s, and taught school for over 40 years, 27 of them in Waurika, OK. She was loved by all who knew her, and anyone that met her for the first time was impressed at how pleasant she was. She was devoted to taking care of her family and cooked decades of family dinners. Mildred enjoyed working crossword puzzles and other word games until she was over 100 years old. Mildred was preceded in death by her husband; and siblings Lucy, Genia Belle, John, and George. She is survived by her son, John Thompson and wife Maureen; brother, Jerry Smith and wife Kathy; grandsons, Jeff Thompson and wife Jacqueline, and John Thompson; great-granddaughters, Elizabeth and Madeline Thompson; and several extended family members. Loving thanks to Patty Pichardo and family, for the devoted care they gave Mildred the last few years. A Graveside Service will be held at Clovis Cemetery on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, at 10:30 a.m.

Published by Fresno Bee on Apr. 30, 2017.

I moved in with Gran to get away from the Stonebridge Community upon discussing it with my Mom. As much as Mom needed the care, and would have benefited from my presence there, we both agreed that a 98 year old woman shouldn't be living alone. As I discuss in nowakingup.blogspot.com, the elevated rent we faced after moving down the street from the house Mom lost to foreclosure, we were stretched thin. The $1000 more in rent we paid than the handicapped accessible apartment I had found in Clovis a mile and a half from Gran's (Plus saved funds from the cheaper utilities) would have gone a long ways towards getting Mom some more care. I was limited to a bicycle for transportation as well... Was hoping to relieve some of my stress as the primary caregiver for the two by eliminating what amounted to 3 hours of biking and busing across town each day.

I had no personal life to speak of at the time. It was tough, sure, but I was enriched by the opportunity to spend time with both of them. Getting to know "The real Gran", and working out some of those unresolved issues a son can have with their mother, I viewed as a blessing. Yeah, I was a Mama's boy... but I had always found the company of Women preferable to the shenanigans of the male world that can sometimes border on the absurd.

Given the opportunity to do it all over again?

Yes. Even with the painful experience of the targeting by the towns that harmed me so, I wouldn't hesitate to be of service to my family.