Dougie here.  Dougie Cranston.  

Sorry if I haven't written in a while; been busy with schoolwork, church, and other things.  I hope you understand.

I am happy to say that I am managing my depression well (with medication and ongoing counselling sessions at the local mental health clinic).  I have now accepted the fact that Tybee (my older brother; he's fifteen; I'm thirteen) will never get any better as the result of the near-drowning accident he had.

I am happier here being with grandma.  She is a very good person to talk to, especially when I get to thinking about Tybee and all his problems.  I know mom and dad (and maybe Tybee) must miss me, but the stress level (and seeing the care involved for Tybee) got to be too much for me to handle, so this was why I opted to go to grandma's house instead.

I have made new friends and love my new school.  The kids don't ask me much about my family; I prefer to keep it that way.  I mean, I don't want to end up getting teased and having kids calling me a retard (Retard: what an ugly, nasty word!) or calling my brother one, even though, technically, he is exactly that.  

Right now, though, I am in the middle of a huge project for history class that's due next month.  I am making a diorama of the San Fransisco Earthquake (the first one, not the one that hit in the 1980's) and have to do a detailed report about what life must have been like before, during, and after the giant earthquake struck.  It is very interesting; I'm learning so much as I go along.

I do talk to mom and dad about how things are going back home.  I wish I could hear Tybee's voice; I miss it so much!  I do say hello to him, though; mom and dad both say he smiles and laughs, so I know, even with that damaged brain of his, he does recognize me, so that gives me a little something to smile about.

I am now volunteering at the local hospital; I work with kids who suffered brain damage.  I see Tybee in each and every one of them, but they are actually great kids.  Some are improving, others not so much; but I am learning to see past the obvious and see them for the kids they really are.  It's not easy at times, but I thought this would be good therapy for not only them, but myself as well.

This was suggested by my counsellor.  At first I balked, but I enjoy it now.  When a particular kid learns something new, it's enough reason to scream, shout, and jump for joy!

Well, I am going to go: school, you know.  I will write in here another day; until then, this is Douglas Cranston saying so long!  Maybe for Thanksgiving or Christmas I can go back home for vacation and see my family; I sure hope so because even with all the problems they had, I still love and miss them very much.  Take care and God bless; this is Dougie signing off!

~Douglas R. Cranston.  :)

~To be continued.~