I'll never understand it. Never!

My crazy neigbor has gone off the deep end. Yet she seems happy, so I shouldn't stand in her way, barge into her personal affairs; yet when I see all those children, I can't help myself at times.

Louisiana Sandusky and her husband Bill both work, and yet they are raising a huge family. I'm talking extravagant numbers here: S I X T Y children!!

Can you imagine anything as nutty as THAT??

I can't, yet I see it happening with my own eyes, and it's amazing to watch!

I guess they have a lot of love in those great big hearts of theirs. They aren't ashamed to take in children nobody else would even bother with: I'm talkin' children with serious handicaps, children who would probably be better off in an institution or hospital setting; yet they love them all, each and every one, unconditionally!

Some of these children were born with disabilities so severe it's a wonder they even have a LIFE. They can't do anything for themselves (well, the one--Jodie--can talk a little, but nothing else), and to see them breaks my heart, every time.

Never mind they are teenagers now; yet their lives aren't normal. Kids their age should be going out for sports, talking about the opposite sex, or thinking about college, not sitting in wheelchairs or having everything done for them because they can't do it themselves!!

Another girl (Deborah) has no arms; still another girl (Enriquesa) has no arms OR legs. How does a body function without arms OR legs? Yet Enriquesa and Deborah do it beautifully; I've seen it happen. Both are happy young adults; nothing ever daunts them! They are absolutely incredible!

One of the boys (Johnathon) has a neuromuscular disorder (muscular dystrophy); it is clear he's getting worse, yet nothing can wipe that huge grin off his face. He is loving life, and the love of Jesus shines in his eyes. He is an incredible testiment to the power of the human spirit if there ever was one.

Ronee', another daughter, recently had surgery on her hands; see she's doing well now. Bandages now off, moving her fingers again, not as much pain. Hands still stiff, sore, but that will fade with time. Anyway, she has JRA, gets around on crutches now, but she's determined to get back to using her canes as she was prior to her surgery, before her hands took bad. Another one who is a smiler: nothing will stand in her way if she can help it. One of the most independent people I have ever had the pleasure to come across!

Of course, as with all families, tragedy does strike. I've seen ambulances frequent their place on a regular basis. One or several of the kids have managed to get sick or injured; it's bound to happen. Childhood is full of bumps and bruises; they somehow attract trouble, kids are naturally curious anyway, so there you go. Sometimes it can't be helped, but still--I wonder what's going on whenever I see an ambulance, police car, or firetruck parked in front of the Sandusky house!

I say a quick prayer for whoever is involved, hope for the best. Guess God must have been listening because the kid is still here! :)

Still, even despite all this (struggling to understand, etc.), I wonder what they have to be happy about. I mean, if I were around all that sickness or disability day after day after DAY, I'd gone crazy in the head long ago!! That's rather depressing!

I couldn't handle that, not day after day after day!!

I guess that is one reason why I was a teacher instead of a nurse. I can't stand it when people get sick. The world is sad enough without adding sickness or disease to it; why does God allow such unhappiness to strike people's lives like that?? It's something I can't comprehend, no matter how hard I think about it!!

Well, hubby is calling me back to bed; he hates it when I spy on the neighbors like that. LOL I will go for now; take care!

~Mildred Tackett, neighbor to "Camp Sandusky". :)