[PRCo] Fred

[Jim Holland]

Words are totally inadequate at a time like this.     The tone of your 
letter indicates you are in good spirits relative to the situation and 
you have a circle of people who shall lend support when needed.     I 
don't understand this old saying  --  In Weakness There Is Strength  --  
but believe it is true when we are able to yield.     It is said that 
very good medicine is to face a problem and to write to the list is a 
Major step in that direction.
.
Certainly this is a matter which is quite confidential but you have a 
group of friends with whom you can confide and heal.     Trust that this 
process will renew your strength Soon.
.
.
.
>
> ----- Forwarded Message ----
> From: "fwschneider at comcast.net" <fwschneider at comcast.net>
> To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 8:50:48 AM
> Subject: [PRCo] Welcome Phil.
>
> Phil and the rest of you:
> Fred isn't gun shy about the list. Some of you know what has happened 
> to Fred and some don't. Fred was evicted from his home two weeks ago 
> by his wife of 37 years under court order. He is now living in an 
> apartment and finding out who his friends and enemies are. He just 
> can't routinely participate. He is trying to buy furniture, pots, 
> pans, got to court appointments, the normal routine doctors 
> appointments, and try to keep a decent mental outlook.
>
> Some of you guys like Bob and Mark and Rich Allman and Ken and Herb 
> knew about it off list.
>
> So far he has found some wonderful friends. His heartfelt thanks go 
> out to his long time friend Ed Lybarger who drove from Pittsburgh 
> dragged most of his clothes and computers out of the house last 
> weekend. I expect to have the computer on line Monday afternoon. In 
> the meantime, the manager at the Travelodge where I stayed for two 
> weeks is generous enough to allow me to pop in from time to time and 
> check my e-mails. There are also some wonderful people in my church 
> and some great people on my high school 50th class reunion committee 
> who have been very non judgemental.
>
> But Fred doesn't have access to the route cards, his photo files or 
> anything else. However, his bride did tell Ed that she understands 
> that I wanted everything to eventually go to the PTM library and she 
> doesn't plan to make that an issue. But there are psychological issues 
> ... when you can't use the files, have no cable connected, etc., etc., 
> etc. ... it's hard to do much in the evening except curl up and go to 
> sleep.
>
> More often than not I find myself at a local Chinese restaurant that 
> I'm been patronizing for more than 20 years because I have always felt 
> like part of the family ... a place where I don't sit with the regular 
> customers but with the owners and the waiters. I remember the day when 
> I ordered something totally off the wall and the owner came out of the 
> kitchen to find out who ordered it before wasting stock making it, his 
> wife pointed to me, and he muttered, "Oh, he's half Chinese anyway." I 
> took it as a compliment. They help to keep my spirits up. Mama called 
> me Pop the last night. Smiled. Said I'm her family. The people at the 
> local Indian restaurant are just as nice.
>
> OK guys. I always said we were friends on this list. So this blather 
> has nothing to do with Pittsburgh Railways. It just has to do with one 
> of us on a downer.
>
> Life will get better. It always does. And it's a lot better today than 
> it was two weeks ago. This is really an after the fact explanation of 
> why I haven't been as active on the list.
>
> Now, Phil, tell us about yourself.
>
> Fred Schneider

-- 
Jim Holland

Studying Pittsburgh Railways Company

....................From 1930 -- 1950

Pennsylvania Trolley Museum (PTM)

http://www.pa-trolley.org/

N.M.R.A.

http://www.nmra.org/