Peter Tagaq here.  Thought I would write in my personal journal, to let you know what is going on with me as well as my little sister, Emily, who lives with me.

I am still taking care of Emily.  She is slowly gaining the (needed) weight; however, because of her ongoing difficulties, eating is still a huge struggle for her:  everything musst be pureed, for easier swallowing (and to lessen the danger of her choking on her food).

I am in the process of looking for employment:  being the economy is so bad, I am not having any luck whatsoever.  It is hard to try to take care of a (disabled) family member without having any income coming in.  It is downright expensive, especially since I am still paying off the last hospital bill she encurred when in the hospital.

Medical care is not cheap, as I've come to discover. 

I was working; I got laid off at the beginning of the year.  It has been an extremely difficult time for both my sister and myself.

If it were not for the love and concern from friends or family, both Em and I would have been living on the streets long ago.  We have had churches open their doors to give us what we need, so we are not lacking for anything (excepting for employment on my behalf or the needed finances to pay off my sister's medical bills).

While we are not religious people, it is nice to know that there are people who are concerned for their fellow citizens.  That is extremely comforting to me.

Well, it is time to feed Emily her supper (pureed chicken soup and vegetables), so I will go.  I will write in here again soon; until then, this is Peter Tagaq saying may the Great Spirit protect and watch out over you!  Goodbye for now!

~Sincerely, Peter Tagaq.

P.S.:  I sometimes feel like those clouds in the picture:  I feel like that life is about to swallow us both whole.

~Peter.

*To be continued.*