JEAN'S POST

Someone asked how Michael was, so I thought I would answer. Things have not been going well although he is safe and I hope sound right now.

He and a couple of "friends" of his left on a trip that we did know where he was going.  Michael sometimes tells things to Edward that he doesn't us, but even Edward did not know where they went.  Finally, we got a call from Grandmother Olive. 

It seems that Michael and his "friends" went to Florida to get out of the cold weather.  Somehow they got jobs down there.  They were celebrating their first pay checks, when they got drunk, smashed up the car and landed in jail.  Michael was driving and got a DWI ticket.  While inspecting the car, the police found drugs in the car.  When he got in jail, the only ones he could think of to call, in Florida,  were Grandmother and Grandfather. 

Grandfather Albert was trying to calm Grandmother down on the way to the police, but the more she thought about what Michael and his friends had done, the angrier she got.  When they got to the Police Station and found out that he had to be bailed out, that made her even angrier. They spoke with Michael and he acted like nothing had happened and gave excuses for his action.  Grandmother got even angrier.  Grandfather wanted to bail Michael, and Grandmother didn't.  They had words.  Michael ended up staying in jail over night.  Seems everyone else got bailed out, but him.

The next morning, after many prayers, Grandfather and Grandmother went down again. As Michael told us later: "They or rather Grandmother laid down the laws."  They would bail him out, but he was to come and stay with them.  He was NOT to see his friends anymore.  He was to go back to work, but was to go to work and come home.  His pay was to go to them  to pay what it cost to bail him out and what expenses they have to pay.  He was to go to church services, attend their own Bible readings and prayers.  They are going to check to make sure he goes to work every day and gets home.  If he does not follow these rules - he is going back to jail.  That's the rules.  He agreed and so they bailed him out.

Grandmother did not talk to him unless she had to for a few weeks.  Michael said she was like an Army Sergeant.  He lost the job he had because of all that happened, but he got another one.  His pay goes to them when he gets it cashed.  One day he was asked to work over time and he did not call them.  Grandmother showed up in cab ti find out what was going on. 

As we do not believe in lawyers, one was appointed, when Michael went to court.  He lost his license and is on probation on the drug charges.  Michael said he hadn't bought it.  It was in his blood at the time of the accident.  As it was a first offense, they put him on probation.  He also has to pay on the damage of the car, which Grandmother argued on.  She said, the person whose car it was, was stupid enough to loan the car to them, so he should only have to pay for part of it.  The cost of the damage was divided between Michael and the "friends". 

According to Michael, living with Grandmother and Grandfather, is like being in prison.  Grandmother gave a lecture on his natural parents are in prison - does he want to go there, too.  If he doesn't change his ways - that's where he will be.  He was sent to us by the Lord for us to take care of him.  We adopted him and is our own.  Michael said he was old enough to do what he wants.  Grandmother said he isn't old enough to take care of himself  because if he was, he wouldn't have ened up in jail.  He wouldn't be drinking, taking drugs and what else he did that they don't know about.

Grandfather is easier on Michael. He agrees what Michael did was wrong.  He deserved what he got, but he is human, we all make mistakes.  He told Michael as angry as Granmother is, she loves him.  She worries about him.  She, as well as he, hope nothing like this ever happens again.

So Michael is in Florida under Grandmother and Grandfather's rule.  He has been doing as they asked and is staying out of trouble.  Grandmother wonders how long this is going to last.  She is afraid that some night he won't come home and be gone.  Grandfather thinks Michael is learning his lesson and it won't happen again.

David and I offered to pay them for all this has cost them, but they both say, that Michael's pay checks will cover this.  They have become a little easier on him. 

We are so thankful that Grandmother and Grandfather are in Florida and did so much as they did.  Grandmother said, when Michael wasn't there, that he really is a good boy, but he has to stop these worldly ways. 

So that is Michael's life right now.  He has met people his age there who are Mennonite or Amish.  Grandparents lets him go to activities with them.  They are still keeping an eye on him and allowing him to keep part of his pay.  If he does one thing they don't allow, they will keep all his check.

David said in a way it is good that this happend in Florida and our Grandparents got him.  He is afraid we would have been easier on him than they are. 

Be With God,
Jean