My Cousin Sharon - Priceless
My Cousin Sharon - Priceless
My Cousin Sharon - Priceless
Forty years ago once we were both children, I used to be frightened of Sharon Price. I felt uncomfortable around her. I thought her appearance and behavior were strange. Sharon seldom spoke. When she did, I could not perceive her. She laughed loudly and randomly. Sharon never looked directly at me or anyone else. She simply stared at the floor. I keep in mind my mother whispering to me, "Sharon is mentally retarded." But nobody explained to me what that meant. The ladies in our family remarked her as "poor very little Sharon." The boys never said a word regarding her at all.
In those days Sharon's important cognitive incapacity wasn't the foremost problematic circumstance in her life. She grew up in a very difficult neighborhood in Louisville, Kentucky. Her father, Jesse James Value, spent most of her childhood in prison. During his transient periods of freedom, Jesse abused alcohol and engaged in alternative behaviors that guaranteed come engagements in "the pen." When Sharon was fourteen, Jesse died in a very mattress fire started by his own cigarette. I keep in mind hearing my parents speculate that Jesse must have been very drunk indeed to possess slept through a fatal mattress fire.
I never met Sharon's mother. I assume she was a magician, as a result of she disappeared at intervals some months of Sharon's birth. Her disappearance occurred forty eight years ago, and none people, including Sharon, have seen her since.
Sharon's grandfather, J.O. Price, was around long enough to build a relationship together with her, however he died when Sharon was six. His widow, Daisy Value, claimed that J.O. died from an ingrown toenail. Apparently he developed an infection from an untreated ingrown toenail that required the amputation of his foot, then his lower leg, and eventually his entire leg. Per Daisy, "the doctors simply kept hacking away at him until there was thus little of J.O. left that he just died."
With no one else willing or able to assume responsibility for Sharon, her grandmother Daisy became Sharon's legal guardian. Sharon grew up believing that Daisy was her "mama," and Daisy never said something to challenge that belief. Daisy was an very devoted parent. She was additionally a faithful member of the Pentecostal Church in her neighborhood. The Pentecostal dress code needed girls to wear very long drab dresses with long sleeves. Daisy and Sharon strictly adhered to the dress code and to all or any different expectations of the Pentecostal lifestyle. On the rare occasions that they went out together in public they were a hanging couple.
Sharon spent 37 years of her life in the protecting custody of her "mama." Daisy believed that Sharon required to be protected against folks who would possibly mistreat her, and he or she seldom took her eyes off of Sharon. She diligently protected Sharon from any probability of ridicule and risk. Sadly, she conjointly isolated her from the kind of stimulation and exposure to social situations that Sharon needed.
When Daisy died, Sharon was faced with a tough transition. When a lot of than three decades of social isolation, Sharon had terribly few of the basic skills she needed to live independently. Once again someone within the family required to demonstrate responsibility and character. This point it was my mother who stepped up to the plate. She requested and was granted legal guardianship of Sharon.
Sharon had grown up pertaining to my mother as her "Aunt Sis." Aunt Sis emerged as the sole member of the family who could offer what Sharon required -- unconditional love and commitment. Aunt Sis also provided effective "case management" skills to make positive that Sharon's interests were protected and that her practical desires were met. Most considerably, Aunt Sis encouraged Sharon to take risks and to explore a wider range of private choices. Over the course of a decade my mother helped Sharon navigate her means into independence.
Sharon currently lives in a very condo that she shares with her shut friend, Judy. Their condo is in a pleasant neighborhood with shops and friendly people at intervals easy walking distance. Sharon is a valued member of a nearby Methodist Church. She features a small dog and could be a accountable pet owner. She diligently protects her dog from ridicule and risk.
Aunt Sis is now eighty three and wants support herself. It's Sharon's flip at the plate, and she is responding admirably. Sharon calls Aunt Sis every morning at specifically eight:45 to make positive she awake and okay. She calls two or 3 alternative times throughout the day to "check in." She routinely helps her Aunt Sis with laundry, cleaning, and alternative household chores. Sharon remains "on call" to assist Aunt Sis anytime there's a need. Sharon gives Aunt Sis support that no one else can provide.
All families have potential surprises and inevitable role reversals. Our family's most interesting example is that the evolving relationship between Aunt Sis and Sharon. Sharon's role in my mother's life and within the lifetime of our family can solely be described as -- priceless.
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