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In Over Their Heads: A Neighbor's Story (By Louisa A. McDougall) by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Rated "G" by the Author.
An elderly neighbor writes about her neighbors, the Sanduskys, and why she perceives them as "odd".
I am a neighbor to the Sandusky family (I live around the corner from them, on Mockingbird Lane), and I still don't understand how two people who work for a living can raise so many children.
I have known William ("Bill") and Louisiana Sandusky ever since they first moved from Louisiana, and at first, they had no kids, but then they adopted two kids, a baby boy first, and then a girl just weeks later (or so it seemed), and they seemed happy for the most part. The kids seemed to be very well cared for, but both were runty little things, and it seemed that the girl was always sick somehow, but the parents still took good care of her--and the little boy, too. Then the girl got hurt in an accident, and the boy came down with a very nasty brain infection, and for a long while, it seemed that both kids would die--but, somehow, they did not. Eventually, the boy and girl recovered, and after they came back home from the hospital, more kids soon started coming into the family. There were, by this time, nearly a dozen little Sanduskys running about, and the noise level grew to be deafening levels at times.
That has been roughly ten years ago. Now the family has added OVER four dozen kids into the family, and they still continue to look very well cared for. It is obvious to me just how very well loved the kids are because they are about the most right-behaved kids I have ever come across, and they mind their parents. They don't cause much trouble (well, the one daughter did for a time, but then she straightened out, and now she is as sweet tempered as the rest of the kids), and the kids treat people with respect, something that is severely lacking in the world today.
But it still bumfuddles me as to WHY Bill and Louie Sandusky took in so many kids in the first place. I don't know if they are trying to get into the Guiness Book of World Records for "the world's biggest family" or WHAT, but I still think that they are NUTS to take in so many kids! They recently adopted yet THREE MORE, which now means that the Sanduskys now have FIFTY-PLUS kids!!
Can you imagine taking care of--or trying to manage--over FIFTY children? I certainly can't--and I wouldn't EVEN want to try!! I can understand one, two, maybe even a DOZEN kids at the most, but FIFTY PLUS?? GODALMIGHTY!!
What makes this story even more amazing is this: most of the kids that Bill and Louie took into their home are retarded or crippled, kids who may have otherwise remained orphans all their lives had they not stepped in. Yet the kids aren't lacking in love or attention, and under the care of their parents, they have flourished like little flowers after a good, soaking rain. They are among the sweetest, most loving boys and girls I have ever met, and they make my heart sing at the very sight of them. Bill and Louie could have very easily taken in kids who were healthy or normal, but no--they took in kids who are in wheelchairs or on crutches, kids who can't see or hear, or kids who have missing limbs or deformed faces, and these kids are all so beautiful! They have taught me to look past their disabilities, no matter HOW bad they may be, and they have taught me to see their inner selves, and they have taught me to appreciate people who are not normal. They have also taught me how to love and to be kind to others, and they have given me such hope and joy!
Even with all this, I still can't get past the fact that Bill and Louie are nuts to take in so many children, especially kids who are so bad off! But it IS nice to think that there ARE people like the Sanduskys who care for kids and are willing to go the extra mile to love them and give them love--and a home!
Yet the kids aren't lacking in love or attention, and under the care of their parents, they have flourished like little flowers after a good, soaking rain. They are among the sweetest, most loving boys and girls I have ever met, and they make my heart sing at the very sight of them.
And this makes it all worthwhile - what a marvelous story, Karen.
Yep, Eileen is right... only God could make all this happen and be possible - and make physical and emotional provision for such a huge and "needy" group. Reminds me of the scripture about the widow's oil never running out while Elijah/sha??? was staying in her home! I would bet that the love, energy, enthusiasm and provision will miraculously NEVER run out for the Sanduskys... and that this poor elderly, bumfuddled (just love that phrase!:)) neighbour ain't seen NUTHIN yet! An honest and totally real account, Karen. Perhaps I'm like that neighbour - in awe and yet totally incredulous as to how they all keep going! So, so thankful that peeps like them do, though. Bless you and thank you. Kate xx
For sure the biggest family....I think like in South Africa....each child must be getting some kind of "money support " from the goverment...or this could be impossible to look after soooooooooooooooooooo many kids!!
The familiar lament of dual-career parents raising children is, "I just can't do it all." The Libra Solution provides an alternative - a more satisfying and sustainable work and life approach - to the overwrought modern day norm.
The familiar lament of dual-career parents raising children is, "I just can't do it all." The Libra Solution provides an alternative - a more satisfying and sustainable work and life approach - to the overwrought modern day norm.
It's almost Christmas. Lynn Basil is writing her last book about a secret entrance into the magical doll land of Sha Bebe that she loves so much. Bagannos have taken over the world! Lynn finally meets her dolls in real life. Can she write in a Secret
I am a neighbor to the Sandusky family (I live around the corner from them, on Mockingbird Lane), and I still don't understand how two people who work for a living can raise so many children.
