tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13970003.post5462508232472138417..comments2024-02-25T21:33:44.400-06:00Comments on Garden of Eagan: The Phone CallLeah Springhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326240393099112570noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13970003.post-58321772689828086122016-07-21T14:23:24.109-05:002016-07-21T14:23:24.109-05:00I personally know quite a few addicts or recoverin...I personally know quite a few addicts or recovering addicts who had everything going for them in life, but they CHOSE to use drugs. They weren't running from anything, killing any pain, fighting any depression, they thought it was a good idea and would be fun so they tried. <br /><br />Those recovering know they have no one to blame but themselves. They are above putting blame for their choices on others. They know better than that. Those still under the control of the drugs blame everyone around them. There is always a reason they turn back to drugs and its never their fault. <br /><br />Yes you are a product of your environment, but at some point you have to rise above and take responsibility. There is a difference when mental illness is involved of course.Cassandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15750507187831412468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13970003.post-51691729105373228992016-07-21T14:10:07.439-05:002016-07-21T14:10:07.439-05:00Wow! You're a real trip. How nice it must be t...Wow! You're a real trip. How nice it must be to know it all. About everything, but mostly about Leah's family. From a blog. That only gives you a tiny glimpse into her life. Just wow. Allisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17060566221343982089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13970003.post-46909921666096619612016-07-07T18:14:15.664-05:002016-07-07T18:14:15.664-05:00Well...I first got to know you about 14-15 years a...Well...I first got to know you about 14-15 years ago. No offense intended to you but I did know you quite a long time ago. <br /><br />I have bit of experience with a mentally ill mom and dad. A alcoholic dad, a mentally ill sister, an adopted sister, sibling classes for addicts, classes for adult children of addicts.<br /><br />I personally was raised by parents that spent all of their energy on my siblings issues but denied any personal responsibility for the way they raised their children. OH HOW MANY times I have heard I was doing the best I knew how!!!<br /><br /><br />Just getting the feeling from reading your blog that it is actually easier to raise children with Downs Syndrome than raising able learner children. <br />It appears that way to me from what you write here.<br /><br />From what you write it appears that Downs Syndrome kids "need" you and you transform them from institutional care.Which is a wonderful thing and I commend you as you have excelled at this!!<br /><br />But able learner children hit a point where they do not need you and test limits, and need boundaries. <br /><br />We cannot all be everything to all children. Some parents are good at somethings and others are good at others.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06119745038988784509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13970003.post-74042833258462409062016-07-04T00:49:54.736-05:002016-07-04T00:49:54.736-05:00I've been following your blog for years now, e...I've been following your blog for years now, ever since you've brought Asher into your home. Thank you for sharing your fascinating life with us. The good, the bad, the ugly, as well as these skeletons. I hope you write a book about your life and trials with motherhood.<br /> Today I went to go visit my father whose never seen my daughter, and although he was articulate and intelligent in our coordinating e-mails he was higher than a kite. He was always extremely well respected in our small town, being the principal of our only school in town my teachers blamed my mom for his developing drug abuse, and when she removed herself from the equation, my middle and high school teachers to me aside and preached at me to be more helpful and supportive of him. It wasn't her fault. Some things don't change, and we can't change people. I digress though.<br /><br />Thank you so much for writing this, and I know it's selfish to think this post was "meant for me" but this flashback of yours couldn't have come back at a better time. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13916968224452595900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13970003.post-78802960806007715192016-07-03T00:57:53.197-05:002016-07-03T00:57:53.197-05:00Oh Leah. You are so NOT alone in this. I have to t...Oh Leah. You are so NOT alone in this. I have to tell myself everyday that she CHOSE, she WANTED, she TOOK, every opportunity to trash the brilliant mind, and the limitless potential that she had. Supporting and being supportive of healthy decisions, yes. Destructive ones, no. Hang in there mama. The Lord does have a plan. I have to believe that.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15698048718456255433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13970003.post-85189916398793491432016-07-02T17:34:40.901-05:002016-07-02T17:34:40.901-05:00I wonder, were you around when I was raising my ad...I wonder, were you around when I was raising my adult kids? Do you have any idea at all what type of parent I was then or am now? (Because I am not the same parent I was, say, 20 years ago when I thought I knew it all.) I know how my son got involved in his drug use. I know how it started, and what caused it to continue. I know of the history of mental health problems on his father's side, and how some chose to cope. I know how available I was or was not. As a parent I did all the things I knew to do. I know what tools and opportunities he was given to cope with stress in his life as a teen. At 15 he chose to live with his dad in another city, a decision I supported because he didnt remember ever living with his dad and he wanted that chance. And his dad wanted that chance. And ultimately teens in that situation talk with their feet. A choice that was supported by counselors he was seeing at the time (remember those tools he was given?) I remained available and my door open to my son. He chose to close the door, time, and time, and time again. Leah Springhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02326240393099112570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13970003.post-29635907387282451082016-07-02T17:14:19.457-05:002016-07-02T17:14:19.457-05:00Addicts do not become addicts by accident. I have ...Addicts do not become addicts by accident. I have 3 siblings that prove otherwise. I have been to the meetings. <br /><br />Addictions are caused by using a substance to cope with the feelings of depression, anxiety, not feeling unconditional love.<br /><br />Is it a choice...well yes it is. But sometimes it is the only choice that person feels they have.<br /><br />They do not have anyone to turn to.Parents deny any wrong doing....they were doing the best they knew how. <br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06119745038988784509noreply@blogger.com