Well, my brother called us from San Angelo twice this week. One, to request again that his one-week's paycheck be sent up for cigarettes and such. My parents calmly refused and said they would set the money aside for any eventual meds he would need. My brother hung up.

The second time he called to inform us that MHMR (the mental health network here in Texas) had admitted him as a patient. When my mom told me this I asked her what that meant, she said it meant that he'd be gone a minimum of six months. Now, I was relieved that he'd finally been admitted to a system that would finally be able to give him the help he needed. My mother, however, seemed very concerned and pessimistic. Being in health care, she's highly critical, and think there's a distinct possibility that it could equally do him just as much harm.

So mixed feelings all up in here.

In the end? Honestly? I'm... kind of not sorry. Neither am I too excited about it. I'm down on the fact that my brother, despite being given every opportunity, did not feel that he was fit for society. That he was unable to push past him chemical imbalances for the sake of eventually having a better life. At the same time---he was given every opportunity. He abused his medication, took advantage of the home given to him, and then decided that it wasn't worth sticking around to wait out his recovery period from his addiction.

He forfeited personal choice for the illusion that life was beyond his control because it was easier to do so than to try. I don't agree with it, but neither do I judge him for it. Quite simply, it is what it is.

I want to thank every who offered advice and the likes. I'll keep it in mind for... when/if he comes home. I mean, minimum he's gone six months. But there's the possibility of being gone a year or more. And even then, there may be a chance that he would rather just... not come home at all. As with all things, time will tell.

~Red