Back on track

I won't write much because it's been an emotionally draining day, but in case anyone does read this, Joseph is now back at school and in Gemma's house just a couple of yards away. It's hard to know what he is feeling. He's the kind of child that always smiles, no matter how he's feeling inside. But I think he's happy. He's probably become quite accustomed to being moved around since the tragic events of the last few years.

When I got to the house, he was dressed and ready to go with a small suitcase - one of those old-fashioned ones covered with tapestry. Inside he had his school uniform, a pair of shorts, two t-shirts and one fo those jackets that we wore in the eighties. And, in true Tanzanian style, a jar of vaseline to put on his skin every morning.

He went back into class and hopefully didn't get asked too many questions. After school, he came to the office and did his homework. Then, Gemma and I both did his spellings with him, not realising the other had done it. The poor kid must be stressed now living with teachers! Afterwards, we went out for a cycle into the village and then came back and played football.

So it's all fine, on the surface. I really have no idea WHAT the child is going through now and there is only so much I can do. All I can do is hope that we can lead him to a path that will give him choices and options in life, that he otherwise wouldn't get. Only time will tell! Sliding doors...

On another note, my beloved mother has been in hospital for a week now after a heart-scare. She didn't have a heart-attack but showed the symptoms of being very close to one. This afternoon, after they discovered that she had some blockages in her arteries, I was told that she would either need stents in her heart or by-pass surgery. I spent the night with bated breath waiting to hear. Thankfully, she needs neither - just tablets. Thank you St Jude!

I am VERY relieved tonight and just want to sleep.