Richard Norway's Blog

I'm so proud of you, Richard. A lot of us sit and wring our hands and worry and talk.You act.Good for you! And the kids you serve.C

Think of all the lives you and David have touched, and helped, and changed.James Merkin

Richard, I too am as proud as I can be of you and David. You are doing good, and that is wonderful.

I'm proud to know you, Richard.Camy

"I know there'll be a lot of questions from you all, so go ahead and ask."You bet. Is the father likely to be a danger to Nathaniel, and to you, in your home? How old is Nathaniel? Why did he end up living with you and not his mother? Is he feeling better, more secure, more loved, now he's with you? Please accept this e-hug in appreciation of the care and love you are devoting to Nathaniel and the other youngsters who've benefitted from your hospitality. I hope Nathaniel is able to settle with you and wallow in the loving, peaceful home that you share with him. I wish I could come visit!

Bruin,No, Nathaniel's father is not going to be a danger for either me or Nathaniel. The truth is that he really doesn't want Nathaniel. At the meeting that we had with Child Protective Services, he lied through his teeth. Nathaniel's therapist later told me that she couldn't believe what went on in that meeting. The facilitator is a closeted lesbian and seemed to have sympathy with Nathaniel's father. The format was such that each person had a chance to speak and not be interrupted by anyone else. Nathaniel was the last to speak. Nathaniel doesn't express his emotions well verbally, but what he did was finally speak his mind. He turned toward the wall so that he wasn't speaking directly to anyone and said that he would not go back to live with his dad. He couldn't stop his tears and someone got up and handed him a box of tissues. I looked at his father and I couldn't see any emotion on his face as his son was so badly hurting. Then I told myself that Nathaniel needs to know that he's alright and loved so I put my hand on his shoulder to reassure him. Nathaniel, and everyone else in that room then knew who really loved him.Nathaniel is 17 and will be 18 in a few months so all of this wrangling over guardianship will be mute then.His mother lives in Albuquerque (a three hour drive away from Las Cruces) and Nathaniel had no way of getting there. But more than that, she's not able to take care of him either financially or emotionally.Nathaniel has a boyfriend who's 20 and he and I have talked a lot about Nathaniel. He's told me what a change he's seen in Nathaniel, his feeling loved for the first time in his life. His boyfriend (also named David) is so happy that Nathaniel is with my David and I.My biggest problem....My David and I are part of an organizing committee for the Red Ribbon Bash. It's a gala event to raise money for people with HIV and AIDs for medications, living assistance, etc. We expect 300+ people there tonight. I'm in charge of check-in/check-out which involves collecting all of the money from the silent auction. I have 20 volunteers that I'm overseeing and Nathaniel and his boyfriend are a part of that. My biggest problem is getting Nathaniel to wear a tie. LOL

Thanks for answering my nosey questions, Richard. The lad's father seems like a real nut-job. For any parent not to want their child makes my stomach churn, I've seen too much of it close to home not to be affected whenever I hear of it. I care so much for my grandkids and there's not even a blood relationship (I'm their step-grandfather) I can't stomach anyone rejecting any child. Your sentence 'The truth is that he really doesn't want Nathaniel' affects me powerfully. I'm so pleased you're there for poor Nathaniel. To have to speak his mind like that must have really taken it out of him.My grandson never wears a tie, and comes to me for help when he occasionally needs to. And, to my shame, I can only tie a tie for him by standing behind him - I can't tie his tie facing him!