I can't believe it! You CAN drink alcohol when you are pregnant?

"Wow, oh wow. What can I even say? As adults we live as active of life and more independently than many persons who share our secret. Oh and we've been down the path of experiences no parent wishes for their child. I know what it feels like to have your book published and I am sure Emily Oster is excited. "Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom is Wrong—and What You Really Need to Know," by Emily Oster to be published Aug. 20 by the Penguin Press.  

Please read her book and then read mine before you make a decision to celebrate 0-4-9. It is such a short time of your whole life!

Dear Emily,

My name is Liz Kulp, any woman who is able to have a baby is very blessed. My birth mother was blessed to have me. She was a single mom, who drank wine and as far as I know - not by the gallon. But her life choices became my life. And my life is not the life you want for any of those future beautiful children like Penelope. There are a lot of things that can create the secret most people don't see when they meet me. They don't see that I understand every third or fourth word of a conversation. People think I know what they are saying. Some of it I do know and some I don't, then later I have to figure it all out on my own—that is overwhelming. Perhaps you say I should just say I don't understand. Well, Emily I have tried that, and what happens when I do, people began to use more words and they add to my confusion. Or they slow down their speech as if I have no brain and treat me like a child.  If I trust you, I will tell you I need more information, but I have found over the years that people with high intelligence get frustrated when they try to help me so I remain quiet. Note, I am not an unintelligent person. I am differently intelligent. In fact, some of the ways I see the world may actually be a gift to you. 

My life did not begin as a child who people thought would struggle with brain and metabolic injury and that is a problem that will haunt me for the rest of my life because the therapies that could have been in place when I was in preschool and an infant did not happen. As I said, my differences are a secret, and unless you REALLY know what to look for you will not see what I deal with everyday.
In fact, my grandmother, Dr. Carrie Kulp, a professor at West Chester believed I was gifted and so did my great-grandmother who graduated from college as a child developmental professional. That was because the parts of my brain that work very well are in concrete thinking.

Emily, I am a woman, and like you I love and grow and learn new things each day. But, unlike you my life experiences because of my mother's choice have been hindered. I won't go into the details - they exist in all my books. And why would I want to write such books. Because I know how hard life is for people like me and their families. I know how hidden our secret is. I know that unless you love a person like me and truly get to know us and our families you remain hidden from our reality. I have chosen not to follow my mother's path. I have been sober four years and if I am blessed with a pregnancy when I am ready to parent a child in a healthy way - I will give that child the best I have to give from it's beginning. I know the cost. I am the cost.

Click Sam and my picture to
find my book on Amazon

When I was two I spoke in paragraphs and knew 60 breeds of dogs — no one suspected. The clues were all there and they who needed to understand my needs did not see.

Liz Kulp (transcribed from conversation)


I like Ed Riley's statement to the Wall Street Journal

I find it amazing that the author wants to take on the responsibility of assuring so many women that it is ok to have “a glass of wine or so a day” while pregnant. She readily acknowledges that “all drinking isn't created equal,” but fails to recognize that all women are not created equal. There are many factors that go into determining whether consumption of alcohol during pregnancy might have an impact on the developing fetus, besides the timing, amount, and pattern of consumption. Additional factors that influence the outcome relate to nutrition, age and one’s genetics. A recent study out of England (Lewis et al, 2012) on over 4000 children found that several genetic variants controlling alcohol metabolism were strongly related to lower IQ at age 8. Importantly, the effect on IQ was seen in the offspring of mothers who were consuming 1-6 units of alcohol per week. If you had these genetic variants, but abstained during pregnancy your child did not show an effect on IQ. A unit is probably a little less than the standard American drink, which brings up another issue. Just how big is that one or so glasses a day you are recommending? A standard drink of wine is 5 oz, but over-pouring is the norm thus underestimating the volume consumed. I for one believe that most women are probably ok with a glass of wine now and then during pregnancy, but I just can’t tell who those women are. Individual genetics, drinking habits, and other contributing factors limit the ability of science to make the assurances that Dr. Oster appears willing to endorse.

To find the Emily Oster, the author and her new book on Facebook at fb.me/profemilyoster

To find my books visit www.fasdbookstore.com

True Commitment - Fetal Alcohol is NOT who I am!

CLICK TO PURCHASE

Liz Kulp has just opened a new FaceBook Group for adults and teens living with the challenges of FASD. Her group is called Striving for the Best Ability - Living with FASD not letting it defeat me.

If you know a teen or adult who needs positive - faith based input - check her site out! I've learned so much from my daughter whose life is affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) -- Author, Liz Kulp, celebrates life at age 27. She is a published author of two books and winner

Braided Cord Tough Times In and Out

• Mom's Choice Gold Award - Adult Non Fiction - Life Challenges
• 2012 USA Best Books - Health -Recovery and Addictions.

Best I Can Be Living with FASD (Revised 2013!)

• Mom's Choice Gold Award - Best Contributing Young Author

CLICK TO PURCHASE

Congratulations Liz on Four Years of Sobriety and Five Years of Living Independently! You are achieving your dream of making a difference in your generation to prevent FASDs! Blessings on beginning the career of your dreams this year!
Mom's Choice Gold Award - Non Fiction - Life Challenges

TO VISIT LIZ'S WEBSITES
 www.BraidedCord.net  or www.BetterEndings.org
TO ORDER HER BOOK  https://www.createspace.com/3436934
TO VISIT FASD BOOKSTORE www.fasdbookstore.com

To read more from Liz's book click here

Committed to each other for a life
worth living - walking the road
of FASD together

True Commitment
(Poem circa 2008)
By Liz

Alas I sit,
glued to a place of undoing and unmaking
of all the mistakes I have achieved
or contemplated making.

Waiting for renewed independence.
Proving to you who I am
and who I can be
and who I shall become.

No longer broken, but bent
Bent upon making a difference
with different choices and
new becomings
Reframing my thoughts
and laying down my rebellion
to fight for a future
instead of wants I thought
I so needed but didn't
An though committed by a decree
that states I am an "other"
in need ot care and watchful eyes

I have learned what commitment
truly is - that it is the love
of family who remains
hopeful and helpful
that it is the love of
my sweetheart who
stands true
that it is a belief in myself
that I can do and be better
and emerge from
a state run commitment
to a self formed commitment
of being true to myself
and all of you.

New Adult Perspective in The Best I Can Be Living with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

New Release! More Resources!
At thirteen, Liz Kulp wanted to let people know what was inside her brain and what made her life so difficult. She hoped by sharing her life other families and children would have more opportunities for success. Fourteen years later, Liz, now an incredible adult revised this beloved title and added her adult perspective of living with FASD in hopes that families and children living with these challenges could better prepare for the future.

In this new revision, she has been joined by other adults, who she refers to as FASD Life Experts and they have added additional wisdom.  We love the new resources and are excited about this new direction.

#13 Days To FASDay - $3 Coupon - Listen to persons with FASD

Braided Cord - Tough Times In and Out

by Liz Kulp

A story you won’t forget. Visit her website

Liz Kulp, winner of Gold Mom’s Choice - Life Challenged 2011 and Outstanding Young Contributor in 2009 for The Best I Can Be Living with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Effects offers readers a rare

“new” opportunity of understanding adult transition with FASD.

There is always a feeling of awe when you are handed the first copy of your book. I loved the look in Liz's eyes when she held her new project. (click to order learn more)

Liz was diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) as a young teen. Knowing her challenges and understanding her strengths helped her graduate from public high school and strive to move on to independent adulthood like her peers. But, she soon learned that life within the context of a family that understood and helped her gain the desire for independence had not prepared her to live in a world filled with predators and abstract thinking. Liz unashamedly lets readers inside the hidden world of adult transition for many of our young people with FASD.

“Stunning. Absolutely stunning.”

– Deb Evensen, FASD Behavior Specialist, FASAlaska

“Wow Liz this is one fantastic book. I can't tell you how impressed I am. This is a best seller.”

– Renae Sanford, FASD Educator and Family Support Person

“After reading Braided Cord Tough Times In and Out I wanted to shout out to all social workers, adoption workers, foster parents, and adoptive parents ‘You have to read this book!’”

– Ruth A. Rice, Mental Health Practioner, Birth Mom, Adoptive Mom

“Heart wrenching, yet inspiring! There is so much that Liz Kulp can teach about FASD because she has lived it. From her lowest lows to her highest highs, we need to listen to her song.”

– Victoria Deasey, M.S.Ed, Cert AVT, CED, Teacher/Therapist/Parent Coach/Consultant

“Once again, Liz and Jodee have handed us exactly the book we've been waiting for. Braided Cord is an unfinished story of resiliency, courage and love. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your life as it continues to unfold. Your honesty is a light for the rest of us.”

– Laura Nagle, Bluegrass Prevention Center

Speaking, workshops or wholesale books contact: www.betterendings.org or jodeekulp@gmail.com
$3.00 Gift from Kulp Family for each book orders additional quantities please contact us:

Direct links provided for discount - Just add coupon code JZLZLVT2 to order - you can simply click special link for each book provided below. Any reviews or comments on our books are appreciated. Happy September 9 - for larger quantity please message me and I can get you a deal.

NEW! 3rd Revision Our FAScinating Journey -Keys to Brain Potential Along the Path of Prenatal Brain Injury - (2012)https://www.createspace.com/3579462

The Whitest Wall (2012) - A Mystery novel
https://www.createspace.com/3497641

Braided Cord (2010) - Liz's adult transition with FASD
https://www.createspace.com/3436934

#15 Days To FASDay - Take a Stand for Persons Living with FASD

09.09 Reason to Take a Stand to
Build Better Baby Brains

On the ninth minute of the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month, we ask the world to remember that during the nine months of pregnancy, alcohol can be very dangerous to the baby. We also ask the world to remember the millions of people worldwide who will struggle lifelong with intellectual disabilities caused by prenatal alcohol.

What the members of FASworld want:

We want to make the world aware that no amount of alcohol in pregnancy is safe for the baby.
We want to make the world aware of the millions of people internationally who can never live normally, because their brains - and often their bodies - have been damaged by alcohol before they were born.

We want our governments to invest in information programs; rehabilitation facilities for women with alcohol addiction problems, and their families; adequate diagnostic facilities, special education, and other support for individuals with FAS, and their families.

Volunteers from around the world work together year-round to build awareness. Each year, on September 9, we observe International FAS Awareness Day (FASDay) with its "Minute of Reflection" at 9:09 a.m.

Each year our memberships grows and we are represented by volunteers in Canada, the U.S., England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Germany, France, Poland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Uruguay, Bermuda and Costa Rica participated and new communities join in every year -- be sure to let us know when your community holds a FASDay event.

#22 Days To FASDay - What One Person Can Do?

What can Only One person do?

From Deb Fjeld - a mom of four children with multiple complex issues and webweaver of www.toolboxparent.com

I was feeling frustrated the other day when I was listening to myself complain about the recent funding cuts going through our state. I realized that I have become so obsessed with trying to find grant moneys for programs that I have lost my focus like I had lost my paying job.

I had the "I'm Only One Person" Syndrome.
I felt that if I don't find grant money for programs, that nothing good can happen and I can't make a difference.

Then, I re-framed my thoughts. (My favorite thing to do next rationalization)

What can one person do to help a family who is struggling?

One person can (without a lot of money or no money which we sometime have):

• be a mentor for a child
• offer support to another parent who is struggling
• create a blog to support other parents
• phone a friend who has tough kids and say I appreciate what you do
• operate a web site to help others
• bring a meal to a sick friend
• offer respite for a family who needs a break (even an hour makes a difference!)
• pray for another who needs help
• join a list serve and share ideas
• call a church, school, government center to ring some bells on 09.09
• get a little assembly together on your county courthouse on 09.09 to talk about FASD
• hold a pregnant pause event at a local restaurant, hotel or bar
• send an encouraging email to one, or all on your email list
• write a book!
• invite a few girlfriends out for coffee and relax!
• read our articles on http://www.toolboxparent.com/
• join a disccussion, ask a question, post a great idea to help professionals and parents of complex kids and intense adults at http://toolboxparent.ning.com/
• write a review for an author who raises tough kids - your input really counts
• HAVE FUN FUN FUN - pay attention to the little miracles every day
• start a 501c3 (then you add a few board members and maybe get a grant)

These are things that don't need a grant.
These are things that make an actual difference in another's life, without costing any money.

I have noticed, though, that I receive much more in return than the effort I gave out.

What else can one person do to help another?? Any ideas we would love your comments.

Deb Fjeld and Jodee Kulp

Look what three parents with a single idea pulled off ten years ag0 and it is still continuing to ring our warnings.

FASDay 1999 began in Auckland, New Zealand, where "Minute of Reflection" bells rang at 9:09 a.m., at Mt. Albert Methodist church. Then it moved to Adelaide, Australia, and then to South Africa, where at 9:09 a.m., Cape Town volunteers gathered to hear the War Memorial Carillon that rang when Nelson Mandela was released from prison. Volunteers in Italy, Germany and Sweden held events -- and then FAS Day crossed the Atlantic. Volunteers staged events and bells and carillons rang across Canada and the U.S. The westernmost activity was the community breakfast on the tiny island of Kitkatla, B.C., near the Queen Charlotte Islands, where the village bell rang at 9:09 a.m. followed by prayers in the native tongue by village elders. We missed a few international time zones.

We did it all on $100 in donations, plus thousands of hours of volunteer labor.

It was a labor of love and passionate commitment. We generated as much media attention as a million-dollar public relations campaign, and we made many new friends and supporters in the process. Many women of childbearing age learned for the first time that no amount of alcohol in pregnancy is safe.

All of us knew that in one magic minute, we really did begin to change the world.

Yeah, but...
What can one person do to fight FASD?"

You'd be surprised -- if he or she is working with a world community of people equally committed to eliminating this tragic and totally preventable disorder!

#23 Days To FASDay - Host a drop in event

So easy....

Host your own drop in event.

offer coffee and cookies on FASD Awareness Day
Simply send out an invite to your clients, friends and family.

Sample Invitation

FASD Awareness Day -
Owen Sound Drop In Event
September 09

Organization: Children's Aid Society
Wednesday, September 9

Children's Aid Society
1290 3rd Ave E,
Owen Sound

2:00 - 4:30 pm

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is the most common birth defect in the industrialized world causing permanent damage to the developing brain of one in every one hundred babies born in North America.Join us for this drop-in event, which will include refreshments, networking, education, awareness, and advocacy for those with FASD.

For more information contact:

#26 Days To FASDay - Free FASD videos

Special thank you to our New York team of Advocates who prepared this video and to all the children, teens and adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) who offered their pictures to put a FACE on FAS.

Help us "Raise The Standard" for our next generation!




Person First Language from MOFAS - 
this will help you promote awareness honorably to all

Not only must we walk the walk - we must talk the talk.
Yes, person first language takes more space to write and more time to say, but the end result allows for respect in honoring the strengths and abilities of another person.

Watch the MOFAS tutorial and give it a go for all your FASD presentations.


Use Teresa Kellerman's video

in your presentations on Fetal Alcohol to build awareness.

http://www.youtube.com/babybornfree

This is worth watching - very short

Want the facts about alcohol use during pregnancy?

Here they are.

All sources are cited at end of video.

More information available here: www.come-over.to/FASCRC

More videos you can use from YouTube
(search FASD or fetal alcohol on You Tube to review - NOFAS has an excellent new series)




Recovering Hope is an intimate and evocative video about the mothers and families of children who are affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). The video, created for viewing by women in recovery and their counselors, is divided into to half-hour episodes to allow time for discussion within a treatment session.

Eight women tell poignant, memorable stories. They speak out about how alcohol use during pregnancy affected their children, how they are learning effective new ways to parent, and how they are recovering hope for the future. Six researchers and clinicians support these stories by explaining the physical, mental, behavioral and learning disabilities associated with FASD and discussing evaluation and intervention services

Need a speaker? Check out the http://www.nofas.org/ Resource Directory for US speakers

Online Manual - www.fasday.com

Seminar - Or try our easy, effective, exciting 1½ hour program that walks you

 through the morning of Sept.9: http://www.come-over.to/FASDAY/ABCDEFG/ 

(material from 2002 has excellent ideas)

Click Here For Our Past 60 Links for a Great Fetal Alcohol Awareness Day!

Follow us through the next 60 days and plan your local or personal project to build awareness of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder - Each One Can Reach One!

Need family support visit www.toolboxparent.com

Need ideas for adults living with challenges of FASD visit www.braidedcord.net

Need information on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders visit www.betterendings.org

Interested in service dog for FASD visit www.thechancerchronicles.com

#33 Days To FASDay - American Bar Association FASD Resolution

If Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders affect your industry help prepare a resolution for next year....

The American Bar Association unanimously passed ...

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION

Co-Sponsors: ABA Commission on Youth at Risk, Criminal Justice Section, Commission on Disability Rights, Commission on Homelessness and Poverty, Death Penalty Representation Project, Health Law Section, Judicial Division, Alaska Bar Association, and the American Judicature Society

RESOLUTION APPROVED BY THE ABA HOUSE OF DELEGATES – AUGUST 7, 2012

RESOLUTION

RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association urges attorneys and judges, state, local, and specialty bar associations, and law school clinical programs to help identify and respond effectively to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in children and adults, through training to enhance awareness of FASD and its impact on individuals in the child welfare, juvenile justice, and adult criminal justice systems and the value of collaboration with medical, mental health, and disability experts.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association urges the passage of laws, and adoption of policies at all levels of government, that acknowledge and treat the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and better assist individuals with FASD.

READ FULL REPORT AT ABA

#44 Days To FASDay - A FASWorld Fable

A FASWorld Fable

(To Share at Your FASDay Event from Bonnie and Teresa)


Once upon a time, not too very long ago, Beautiful Blue Butterfly Bonnie flew across the sunny skies from the Nippy North down to the Sultry South, where she met Tucson Turquoise Tutterfly Teresa. They spoke of their butterfly babies and tutterfly troubles, and wistfully whispered of all the other butterfly babies in the world who couldn't fly because their baby butterfly wings could not develop enough for them to fly freely on their own. The baby butterflies were always flying into terrible trouble.

! ! ! ! ! Tutterfly Teresa told Butterfly Bonnie all she knew about broken baby butterflies and their booze-battered brains.

Tiger Butterfly - Book Two
Bootleg Brothers Series
Available September 2013

Butterfly Bonnie shared all she knew about the overwhelming ! obstacles that must be overcome by all the mamas and the papas and their blessed baby butterflies.
Together the two shared their worthy wisdom. They lamented at length.
Butterfly Bonnie said, "Let's save all those baby butterflies!"
Tutterfly Teresa said, "How can we do that? We are only two burned out bedraggled butterflies. We cannot save the world."
To which BB replied, "Oh, we may not save the whole wacky world, but we can save some of the suffering souls trapped with their tattered and torn, worn wings. I have my Big Brainy Butterfly Brian to help me, and Cute Little Clutterfly Colette! And back home in the Nippy North is Nifty Nutterfly Nancy."
TT said, "Well then, that is five of us - ten wings in all. What kind of a flap can five FAS friends make?"
Butterfly Bonnie said, "Have you not heard?
'The oscillation of butterfly wings in Brazil may set off storms in Texas.' "
"Brazil?" exclaimed TT. "I know some terrific tot-tutors in Texas, but I don't know any butterflies in Brazil."
"Oh, but you will! You will! Brazil and beyond." Butterfly Bonnie continued to cheerfully chatter. "If we mobilize and motivate all the other butterflies in the world, just think what storms we could set off! Not just in Texas, but in Tucson and Toledo and Toronto and Everywhere that our butterflies beat their beautiful wings! Why, we might even move mighty mountains."
So Butterfly Bonnie flew back to the Nippy North and stirred up serious storms all over earth space.
And Tutterfly Teresa flew back to the internet and intermitently interrupted inertia all over cyberspace.
Before long there were hundreds of busy butterflies making wonderful waves of awareness, telling their true tales, procuring proper proclamations, mobilizing media, bringing bells a-ringing,
"Nine! Nine! Ninety-Nine!"

And so, air waves announced and reporters revered all the awesome events planned and produced proudly by those sixty successful blessed butterflies on that fine Fall day. Ripples reverberated across the peaceful planet, telling the truth about the broken baby butterflies. Beyond the barriers of ignorance and indifference, the message of mothers and fathers afar:
"Desist the destruction of the delicate development of those wee little wings of the babies we bear. Try not to trample those innocent individuals whose wings cannot wend their way so well. Listen and learn. Don't forget and regret. Beware and take care!'
And they did!

The moral of the story is this...
Never underestimate the power of the pen, the wonders of the web, and the beating of butterfly wings in the wind. Especially esteem the miracles of mothers and daddies who love their little lassies and laddies above all on the earth in this fabulous family called FASWORLD.
And to think it all began with one Beautiful Blue Butterfly... Bonnie! Read thank you messages sent to Butterfly Bonnie Buxton here.

Best I Can Be by Liz Kulp will receive gold award in 2009

Being an adult with FASD is a struggle and a bright light in this holiday season for our family and especially Liz Kulp is that her book The Best I Can Be written when she was almost 13 will be recognized as the Mom's Choice Gold Award 2009 for Best Young Author. Liz's dream was to provide information to people who could not understand how her brain works and how she thinks and enjoys life. The book was a hard struggle for a young person who at that point did not write, each handwritten paragaph copied from recipe cards took over twenty minutes.

It has been a privilege to embrace parenting Liz - a struggle sometimes for both of us, but never without wonder and adventure. My daughter never ceases to amaze me with her insight and how she understands the world. I want to publically congratulate her for risking voicing her opinion and openning the doors for others. Liz will continue to open doors as she transverses adulthood - watch out world - she just keeps on moving forward in a dance that is all hers. - Blessing on the work you are doing in your next book - may it change as many hearts of those who do not understand as The Best I Can Be.

- Love Mom

Grandpa knows I'm a good girl

This poem has been  published in Braided Cord by Liz Kulp

Grandpa died on Friday
And I really did my best
My mom left home without me
And my dad was put to the test
My father is a woodworker
Like my grandfather before
And my uncle asked my daddy
To make the box for grandpa to soar
And so I went to my friend’s house
And had a really good time
I missed the mortuary
So I wouldn’t stand in line
I called upon my mother
who was busy as can be
Writing up the remembrances
and an obituary
I asked her to please come home
And do my pretty hair
I wanted my sweet Grandpapa to
Really know I cared.
But she said I’m sorry darling
I can’t come home tonight.
I am sleeping with your Grandma
Go to bed, turn out the lights
I went downstairs the best I could
It was actually time for meds
I could feel my hands shaking
But decided not to go to bed
Instead I stayed up fixingAnd fixing my pretty hair
And nothing seemed to be working
As I thought of grandpa
A way up there.
In a mighty fit of frustration
I pulled out and then redid
Only to see in the morning
There were bald spots on my head
I picked my clothes out carefully
Something grandpa would care
A bright red shirt and blue jeans
And barrettes for my hair
I worked til’ almost morning
The sun was about to rise
I took my medication and
Closed my pretty eyes

I didn’t hear the alarm clock
Dad jumped me out of bed
We’re leaving in five minutes
Was all I heard he said.
I grabbed the red shirt I’d chosen
I jumped into my jeans
This wasn’t how I wanted it
I hate being me.
I wanted to look pretty
I wanted to do my best
Instead I went overmedicated
And looked a sorry mess
The red shirt I was wearing
Looked like a club night
And the jeans I jumped into
Were not at all right.
The medication was humming
As we pulled quickly away
And I could tell inside myself
It was going to be a terrible day.
I did my best to be happy
I forgot my morning meds
I wanted to show everyone
How hard I’d worked to be
My very best.
We missed the visitation
We almost missed the church
I missed the long progression
That headed with the hearse
I missed the soldiers shooting
I missed putting grandpa in his grave
I finally understood this was not a very good way
I wanted to hold my mother
Who was busy for her dad
I wanted to hug my family
Who seemed sometimes happy sometimes sad
I didn’t eat a breakfast, and I forgot a snack
I even forgot the medication that I usually pack
I called my dad to say sorry
I tried really hard to be nice
But it got really obvious
People were looking at me twice.
My Auntie told be about the rose
Thar laid upon the stone
And I went to say goodbye to grandpa
When I was alone.
I looked upon each stone I saw
Holding eagles, plaques and pain
Not one stone held the rose
I felt I was insane
I went back home to tell them
That it was no longer there
My Auntie said go back again
And look down and stare
The rose will have grandpa’s name
I really know you care
I watched my feet a walking
And the rose still had it’s stick
But the stone they had told me to find
Was actually a brick.

She’s 22, I overhead
She’s able to behave
She’s doing drugs another said
My grandpa in the grave
I ran away to grandpa who was watching way up high
And I marched around the little town trying not to cry
Lost and scared and empty
My Auntie took me in
And we journeyed to the jail house
To prove I didn’t sin

I looked into the mirror
At my face when I can home
And I soon discovered I was not alone
My mother saw the bare spots that covered over my head
And I went into the bedroom to get my pretty shirt of red.
I held it up before her and I looked into her eyes
And we finally held each other
And she finally cried
And I told her that I loved her
And I said it was too bad
And I told her I love daddy
Who is my real dad
And I told her not to worry
Because I knew something true
That Grandpa saw me for who I was
And that she did too
She showed me the spent chamber they shot for grandpa today
Grandpa knows I’m a good girl, was all that I could say.