I am driving my brother to Colorado. We left just after midnight (too long a story to tell pecking out on my phone) and I am driving straight through. Am in Colorado now and need to drive across the state. This has been a horrifying and heartbreaking trip. To make things worse, I’m not sure he’ll let me leave him here since he’s afraid of being on the streets again.
If you are prayerful, please say a prayer for both of us. If not, please send good thoughts and wishes for . . . I don’t know. Maybe for courage.
Bertram's Blog 
August 5, 2014 at 12:15 pm
My thoughts are with you both, and my hopes are that you will find a place for him that he trusts so that he will be willing to stay there.
August 8, 2014 at 7:44 pm
Found no place. Couldn’t even get him a room in a bedbug-ridden motel. That town made it illegal to get a room for someone else. So strange.
August 8, 2014 at 10:16 pm
Odd rule.
August 5, 2014 at 12:45 pm
I am praying for you and your brother please be safe luv Cicy
August 5, 2014 at 12:48 pm
Sending warm, calming energies for you and for him.
August 5, 2014 at 12:59 pm
Oh Dear, all my best, warmest, courageous thoughts are with you both. Sending peace and love and warmth within you.
August 5, 2014 at 1:00 pm
Prayer sent. Hope you get home safely and that your brother is able to handle himself once he’s back in his home state. Be careful Pat and good luck to you.
August 5, 2014 at 1:05 pm
Prayers for you and yours. I am at a loss for other words.
August 8, 2014 at 7:43 pm
Thank you. Your words were plenty powerful.
August 5, 2014 at 3:56 pm
Is it possible for you to get him to a hospital? Then drive away. They’ll do a psych eval and place him someplace appropriate.
August 5, 2014 at 4:03 pm
You may not hear from me but I am following your adventure. I know you’ll stay safe, but I also hope you’re enjoy yourself.
August 5, 2014 at 6:59 pm
Must seem like a dumb comment, Pat, but you need to stay focussed and don’t hesitate to stop for help if you feel the urge. IOWs, ask someone for help. Otherwise, I choose to believe you’re on an adventure and something good will come of this.
August 8, 2014 at 7:40 pm
Not a dumb comment by any means, Joylene. Oddly, as sad, disheartening, violent, and heartbreaking the trip was, it had all the elements of a “hero’s Journey.” And in the end, like any hero, I brought back a boon — my compassion and tears, and a welcoming house where my other siblings can come to say goodbye to our father.
August 5, 2014 at 4:04 pm
Prayer sent…Pat–remember you are also important–and precious!
August 8, 2014 at 7:42 pm
Thank you, Juliet.
August 5, 2014 at 4:30 pm
You have my prayers and good wishes. He will not want to stay. You must try not to make it an option. He is an adult and it is not your job to raise him. I know how it hurts, but your life will never be yours if you are not firm with him. If it gets too bad, put him on a bus. God bless you and your brother. Cathy Gingrich
August 8, 2014 at 7:42 pm
Thank you, Cathy. Good reminder. I do think I had a bit of a feeling of needing to raise him. So much of him seems to be stuck in the realm of a young boy. I hope he finds the means to raise himself, and if not, I hope . . . not sure what I hope. That in the end he will find peace, I guess.
August 5, 2014 at 9:01 pm
I am praying for you Pat….and I hope he will stay.
August 8, 2014 at 7:38 pm
I hope he will stay, too. He says he will come back here, but I don’t think he will. It takes too much energy just to survive homelessness.
August 5, 2014 at 9:45 pm
I hope you put your own well-being ahead of every other concern. You are in my thoughts, Pat.
August 8, 2014 at 7:37 pm
I never put my well-being first, Mike, you ought to know that. Maybe it’s time for me to do so. Thank you for your comment and kind thoughts.
August 6, 2014 at 1:38 am
Pat, I wanted to write something encouraging and uplifiting….but, it is a difficult situation and I just don’t have the words. Just know that I am thinking of you and hoping that it all turns out well. Better days are coming?
August 8, 2014 at 7:36 pm
Your comment was plenty encouraging, Holly. All I really needed was to know that someone cared. Thank you.
August 6, 2014 at 6:46 am
I’m relieved you found a way to pry him out of California. Make YOUR safety your first priority and recognize that you can’t solve his problems and you are not accountable for him, much as you may care for him. Get him to a hospital, get him committed for evaluation and leave the rest to God. Sending prayers and hugs and reminding you to dance, even if it is only in your mind at the moment.
August 8, 2014 at 7:36 pm
I wasn’t able to get him committed, wasn’t able to do anything, actually, except leave him on the streets 1000 miles from here. I know I can’t shoulder his burdens (don’t even want to) but it’s hard just to walk away from such neediness. I’ll never feel good about it, but I did it. Next week, it will be back to dance class!