Jonathan and Kathie before the accident   Dinner at Jonathan's house Click to HERE to learn how to cook a healthier version of crispy oven-fried chicken.

“It’s not always going to be this difficult, I promise,” Kathie said, trying to convince herself as well as him.

Just then, the phone rang in the other room. “Carl Jay is not doing so good,” her brother Norbert informed her. Carl Jay, their brother, had both a mental disability and Tourette syndrome. Both brothers lived next door to Kathie, who was in and out of their houses a lot more since Momma died of cancer and heart failure.

“I’ll be over as soon as I’m done with JonJon,” Kathie said, feeling weary already. “How are you doing?”

“Had better days.” Norbert was coping with skin cancer.

“I’ll be there soon,” she reassured him, and hung up. This family just can’t get a break. She stared at the phone, her shoulders sagging under the weight of her struggles. I know I promised you I’d take care of the family, Momma, but I don’t think I can do this on my own.

“Mom?”

Jonathan was calling from his room. Kathie started walking toward the door when the phone rang again. Looking from one to the other, Kathie let out a half-sob, half-scream of frustration.

Today, she told herself, I’m going to write a letter. Tell somebody what’s going on. Maybe to my state rep. That’s what Momma always said I should do if I needed help. Well, she thought, trying to compose herself before heading back to Jonathan, I need it now.

“You’re getting creamed, Uncle Carl.” Jonathan laughed as he racked up points against his uncle Carl Jay on PlayStation 2. Since the accident, it had been one of their favorite ways to spend time together.

“I’m playing nice today because we have a visitor,” Uncle Carl retorted playfully.

Jonathan’s eyes flicked over to the kitchen, where his mom was sitting with Debby Nolan, a program manager for the Christian Appalachian Project. Ever since his mom had written a letter to State Representative Ken Upchurch, and Upchurch’s office had gotten in touch with CAP, things had begun looking up for both him and his mom. Kathie was now good friends with Debby, who, along with fellow CAP workers and community organizations, had helped make life a little easier for the family. Th ere was the automatic bed they’d brought in for Jonathan, and the mattress set that helped Kathie cope with her arthritis. Jonathan was now being tutored so he could attend college. And thanks to some conversations he’d had with people at CAP, he now knew what he wanted to do with his life — become a drug and alcohol counselor.

Female laughter erupted from the kitchen. Jonathan grinned. It felt so good to hear his mom laugh again. CD

Julie Rattey is managing editor of Catholic Digest.