- life appears to be quite a bit harder for you two than for our children
- you don't live with your parents, but with your aunt by marriage
- her husband was arrested for shooting a police officer last year and is in jail for the duration
- life is incredibly hard for her, and she has to raise two children who aren't her own, in addition to her daughter(s)
- your own mother has been in prison, but is visiting you this weekend (supposedly the last part is a plus, but not sure who's benefiting considering the actions of the adults the past couple of days)
- having the police come to your house isn't a strange event
- the example your elders set is one of foul language and loud music laced with additional swearing
- you have to look to the neighbors to supply you with mother/father figures
- you're possibly destined to a life akin to your parents/aunt/uncle
- it's hard to be caring to you since you need so very much from other people
- i find you draining
And to myself I'm sorry that:
- we have to close the windows here on a pretty day because your voices are so extremely loud
- i can't sit out on the front porch because of the music and your shouting/swearing
- you make me so angry
- i have to reach into such deep reserves of compassion that often just aren't there
- you dislike me because of my race
- and that i often feel the same way about you
- there have been misunderstandings between our families based, pretty much, on the previous two points
I pray for:
- the ability to wave at your aunt and to have her wave back
- the love to take you flowers when they bloom, like i did last summer
- a desire to pray for you even when it's hard, and it's always hard
- life to be generous to you both
- your aunt to find joy
- your family to possibly be a bit more sensitive to your neighbor's needs, and not just your own
- for a heart that doesn't always find fault with your activities
- and finally, yet foremost, for the Lord to cover your home with blessings
And I think that about covers it.
