Thick and Thin

The following is from the email from my sister Patti, to my
mother-in-law (GMX). She is an example of how awesome a sister can
be, and this e-mail shows it plainly.

=============

Hi [GMX],
I understand everyone's concern. Here are my thoughts.

Kelly has spent the better part of a year going through the process of
evaluation, testing, counseling, classes, meetings with the surgeon,
etc. I applaud his commitment to getting this done. He understands
the risks involved and is willing to do it anyway. Why? Because he
wants/needs to be there for Lexie and Logan. Not just now but in the
future. He wants to be the best parent he can be, and be there for
them for the long-haul. His size is a threat to that, and he is doing
what he and the doctors feels is necessary to make sure he is a part
of the kids' future and that he can be there to parent them along the
way.

I'm sure the surgeon did not schedule the surgery to cause any
hardship on anyone. I'm sure it is the natural progression of a
commitment like this and not purposely done to cause anyone else any
inconvenience. I don't know that there would ever be an "ideal" time
to have the surgery.

Kelly knows that however I can help, I will help. He understands my
situation better than most, in that he's been there himself. He knows
that some way or another, I will be there to take him in on June 15
for the filter, and will bring him home. I will also take him to the
hospital on June 17, and will hopefully be there to bring him home
after recovery. He knows I will do whatever I can to help, given my
circumstances. Also, our brother Mike, and his family will do what
they can to help. Obviously, they already have with taking care of
Logan when Kelly couldn't get day care for him. They've also picked
up Lexie from school many times. Who else has done that?

What I find interesting is the lack of support from his "friends" (a
reference to Brad & Kate who started this whole shit sandwich in the
first place) and your family. I'm a bit surprised that your email,
and that of Brad and Kate's, doesn't mention Shellie (my soon-to-be
ex-wife [X]), or the possibility that she could take over parenting
for a few weeks. I would hope that friends and family would support
his efforts to be the best parent he can be for Lexie and Logan, and
that they would try to find solutions rather than problems. To me the
solution is simple: Shellie can temporarily take care of the kids for
a few weeks, with support from her family and friends. She can get
them to and from daycare, give them breakfast and dinner and make sure
they get baths and enough sleep. If that is too much for her, perhaps
Brad and Kate, relatives, etc. could pitch in as I know they love and
care about Lexie and Logan, and they know that Kelly is doing this so
the kids will always have a parent to rely on in the future.

I would hope that the people who profess to love him and/or the kids
would do whatever they can to help. However they can help. Once this
is over, and Kelly is physically better able to take care of the kids
(not just immediately after surgery, but for all the years to come) he
will also be in a better position to move on with his and the kids'
lives, including finding a home of their own, a better job, a better
lifestyle.

The alternative could be that, God Forbid, Kelly dies early from the
problems being this size causes, and then who would be Lexie and
Logan's parent?

================

See, she truly is awesome, has always been there for me...through
thick and thin, and I love her dearly.