Mark update

Mark is home. Sam picked him up at the airport, tonight. They went directly to a session, with their counselor and worked some things out.

It appears that the counselor in Florida was less than honest, with me AND with Mark. He was told by her that nobody here wanted anything to do with him. This was untrue. We said that we wouldn't abet his druggie lifestyle. The family is more than willing to help him get clean.

He's getting into a program, here in Tucson and will stay with my parents, in the meantime. It looks as though he may have a construction job lined up, too.

Mark says that his main concern is getting straight and being there for his kids. Part of his problem in Florida was that a big part of his mind was back here and he couldn't fully concentrate on the program. I had reservations about him being away from family support.

Being here may help. He really needs to be away from Benson. Its a very small town and its hard to avoid all of his druggie friends. Maybe, when the girls are born, it will be the kick in the butt, that he needs.

Sam has had a lot more forbearance, than I would have had. If I had been in this situation, I'd have told him to go pound salt, months ago. Then again, I've already been through this and don't have much tolerance. I refuse to allow someone else to screw up my life - I can do it quite nicely on my own.

I just hope that he can straighten up. Its hell to grow up, thinking that your father doesn't love you.

I am keeping him in my prayers! I hope everything works out for the best for him, you, Sam, and the twins. ((HUGS))

I'm sorry to hear the other rehab situation didn't work out. I hope Mark continues on the road to recovery now that he is home.

I just wanted to offer you hugs....

I hope being closer to home will help him focus on recovery, so he can be there for his family.

My prayers are with you and your family.


I have an uncle close to my age, (my mother's youngest brother), who had extreme problems with drugs. The heavy stuff. He had two kids and a wife and alienated them. She left him with the kids and he continued on his drug filled path. It took him getting beat extremely badly and left for dead on the side of the road. Thankfully he was found and was taken to a hospital.


Today he has been clean for 3 years. He has some memory problems because of how badly he was beaten. He says that its a constant reminder of what that kind of lifestyle can do to you. He now goes to schools and talks to kids about drugs and staying away from them. He's back with his wife and taking care of his two children, and he's a volunteer firefighter.



Coming clean can be done, and Mark is lucky that he has family to cheer him on, back him up, and push him to stick with it and have a better life for himself.



Good luck hon. I will be praying for you and family

lots of good thoughts your way!

This is not easy, but I hope things get better from now on. Hugs!

All of you are definitely in my thoughts. Too bad the rehab program didn't work out. All things happen for a reason, and it sure looks like he is *supposed* to be home with his family.

I hope he keeps strong! I will keep him in my prayers.

I haven't heard from him, since Saturday night. He was supposed to call, yesterday. If I don't hear anything, by this afternoon, I'll call my parents and find out what's going on. I just don't want him to think that I'm hounding him or checking up, too much. He's not my "little boy" any more.

How is he doing? I think about you guys alot. I hope being home will help him and that he and Sam will be able to work things out. Please keep us posted.

I'm so sorry they misrepresented things to Mark ... that must have been very hurtful for him. But I'm glad he's home, surrounded by loving and supportive people, and that he's in a program there.... It sounds like he really wants to do the right thing. I've kept you all in my prayers.