I can't figure out who to light the candle for...

[Molden]

I learned today that my former brother-in-law passed away last night from cancer. It had been discovered when they went in for his triple-by-pass last year. 42 years old. Kinda young for all that. We weren't close, I haven't seen him in forever. Yet, his passing affects me. Or maybe the effect of it. I dunno...

I'll light 2 candles:

1 for my Niece who is 19, pregnant, her Grandfather passed away last month, and now her father...

and 1 for the man who ate himself up from the inside out with his anger, insecurity, and self loathing... may fewer follow his example.

[anne of oaktower]

Wow.  Kinda makes you step back and think for a minute....   

These days, at 42 many folks are just starting to really live life - for the fortunate ones, the kids are grown, the house is paid off (or close to it), and it's time to do all the things that got put off for so many years.  Too bad he doesn't get a second chance to do it right.  I hope your niece will be able to recover from the loss.

Pirate ye may be, but ye have a kind heart Molden.

[Lady Mikayla of Phoenicia]

A kind heart he has indeed A/O. 

I figured something was up, I am so sorry Dear. 

[daylight]

 You said you didn`t know who to light a candle for. Well light one for them for sure for they truly need our prayers , but light one for yourself, for God has blessed you and you are still here so that is reason to give thanks. So light a candle for thanks as well. You seem like one who cares and people who care sometimes are hard to find, You might just be the one to help those who are left behind What a blessing you might be to them. So thank you for caring.

[Welsh Wench]

A kiss and a hug for Molden who makes our Ren-world brighter just by being who he is....

[Element of Air]

I am sorry to hear that this has happened. I know that we live close and are planning some time to spend together. We shall keep them in our thoughts and I shall be here for when you want to get away.

[Molden]

Thank you one and all for your very sweet comments.

Truly, I think this one shook me because I was well along the path toward becoming that man, of surely one of his kin, some several years ago. Seeing this, it's almost as if Scrooge got an instant replay from his visit with the spirit of Christmas yet to come... Only to do with one's view of themselves and ability to freely be that. To have love and confidence in one's heart in place of self-doubt and loathing. To learn from life's lessons and do so with a loving heart.

I've said it before, and you'll hear it as long as I breathe - Ya'll are the Sweetest Folks I've ever met - an' I Love You, one and all.

[RenRobin]

You, your niece and family are in my prayers.

[Ottheinrich]

I've said it before, and you'll hear it as long as I breathe - Ya'll are the Sweetest Folks I've ever met - an' I Love You, one and all.

We love you too, Molden

[Lady Ann of Draycott]

Sending prayers, positive energies, good thoughts and healing vibes to you and your family Molden, I'm glad you chose a different path!

[RedHatQueen]

Sending prayers up...there is a lovely place to light virtual candles online.
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/enter.cfm?l=eng
I go there almost daily.

Blessings.

[Lady Mikayla of Phoenicia]

Lady M lights a candle for the little spirit born today...

[Count Adolfo]

Molden, that was very profoundly said.
You and your family are in my prayers, my friend.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

Molden, your family and you are in Steve and my prayers. 

[Molden]

An update - and acknowledgement to Lady Mikayla's post...

At about 3:00 am on Monday morning my niece delivered her daughter Preslye. She was 3 lbs. 11 oz., premature (she was due in late July) and in critical condition.

I wish this was a happy situation. Sadly, it gets worse. My fears were confirmed when my niece was tested...and came back positive for drug use. They're checking Preslye. Child Protective Services is involved. No good.

I ask this, and this alone...if you light a candle - do so for Preslye. Whether she makes it or not. If she does, the girl has a challenge before her that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. If she grows up as a reasonably adjusted adult - she will have beaten some mighty long odds.

Myself - I'm trying to hold myself to the Bob Costas quote I posted - "Things are seldom black and white. Don't demonize. Try to understand."

Lord, I'm tryin'...

[Joyce "Delfinia DuSwallow" Howard]

Molden, I'm so sorry about the baby.I will say a prayer for Preslye (what a beautiful name).I have a niece who did the EXACT same thing with her baby. Thank GOD the child is just fine now, shes 13 yrs. old. I had to take her and raise her myself.I have had her 8 yrs.now. I pray every day for her mother , THINGS ARE SELDOM BLACK AND WHITE, i just try to give what help i can ,where i can.Just keep praying for them.

[Count Adolfo]

Brother... as someone who can really understand... truly understand how you're feeling...
it's ok to be angry and ok to have difficulty understanding.  Those are lofty ideals Bob's selling there, you must admit.  It's hard not to be upset by such a thing.

Just try to temper your anger with the knowledge that this may be a blessing in disguise.  If this is what it takes, so long as the baby comes out fine... if this gets your neice to get off the drugs, then it's something you'll someday look back on and be thankful for.
I'm sorry it's so messed up right now, though.  Child Protective Services will be most harsh in dealing with any matter they feel is detrimental to the baby.  I hope that can all be resolved.

My heart goes out to you, Brother... and to that little baby.  She is in my prayers... and aye, she indeed has a beautiful name.

[Anna Iram]

Molden, sometimes the loveliest of flowers grow in the thorniest of gardens. Preslye came into this world with a dream like all of us and perhaps her rough start will touch far more lives in a positive way than a fairytale beginning. Good luck to her. I'll keep her and her mother in my prayers and light a pink candle especially for her.

I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts. I agree with the Count, it's hard not to be dissapointed and angry when peoples choices affect so many others.

I'll light a candle for you Modlen. I know lifes tough for you right now and I'm sorry for that.

[lordwriothsley]

Molden,
Brother I must that these are truly two of the worst situations I have ever heard of in my life.You have my heartfelt sympathy for what you are going through right now trying to sort out your feelings for your former brother in laws passing and the condition of your little niece.I can truly understand what you are going through right now as my family almost lost my little 3 year old cousin M'Kayla for the same thing.Her mother was a stone cold herion addict while she was pregnant with her and when she was born she spent 6 months in the hospital hooked to god knows how many machines to try and keep her alive.Still to this day she is our "Miracle" baby and we thank God that she is still alive.
  No one said that this life would be easy.It seems like every where you turn your always running into some kind of trouble whether it be family or personal or whatever it may be,but always know like these other fine people have said that this may be an unknown blessing that you and your family still have not discovered.With all that being said  you, your family,your niece and especially baby Presyle are in my thoughts and prayers.

[eloquentXI]

My thoughts and prayers and many a many hug go to you, even more so than the several I gave you yesterday. Have faith with the rising sun tomorrow and every morning, always beautiful and always strong...that gives me enough hope even in the most trying of times and I hope it can give you hope too. We're here for you, love, always.

[CatAshtrophy]

I'm so sorry to hear about the baby and will put her in my prayers. I hope that she can live a long, healthy, and happy life. There are going to be lots of challenges for your family coming up. You say CPS is involved, but at least in Texas, that does not always mean that the child will be taken away. They try to keep babies with their biological parents whenever possible, even for drug abuse (at least according to a lecture I was at this weekend). There are simply too many children in need and not enough safe places to put them all. I hope that your neice and the baby get all the care and support they need to be healthy and happy.