Damaged Goods

Jim's first few years were a delight; he was the love of my life. One of my fondest memories was when we had lunch together - he talked, I listened. I memorized his teeth, so clean and perfect, in his beautiful little face. However, there were times when he scared me. When he did not get his own way, he would kick and scream; during those times he would become as strong as a grown man but he was not yet three. I saw something in his eyes that I can only describe as Satanic. He also began to say horrible words. I would often ask the physicians about my anxieties. They would dismiss it as an overprotective mother. We were in Florida, our daughters were suffering, and I had no time for them. I sought release in my Journal. God became my constant companion. We did not know that we were raising a schizophrenic child. Claudia Blackstone was born and raised in Caribou, Maine and studied for her RN in Bangor, Maine, graduating in 1958. While in Bangor, she met, and eventually married, Dick McClaine, who was at that time a USAF Navigator stationed at Dow AFB in Bangor. Soon after their wedding they moved to California for Dick's next assignment. Their two daughters were born in California. In 1968 Dick was transferred to Hickam AFB in Hawaii, and it was during this assignment that they adopted their son, Jim. They were not perfect parents but the Lord knew that they would "hang in there." God, without a doubt, had a perfect plan for them and for their son. God also kept His promise for their daughters, as stated in Psalms 37:25. Claudia and Dick will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in March 2009.