Gilbert, my brother

It is more than five years ago when I first wrote about Gilbert, my youngest brother.

Since Gilbert's male caregiver left more than two years ago, I have been staying with him on weekdays while my daughter is at work in the office.

Although I have never questioned God why his condition is like this, I can’t help but wonder, if Gilbert is not mentally challenged, will we his siblings give him the kind of care that we are giving him now? Of all six siblings, he is the most uncared for by my mother because she died at a relatively young age  (my mother was 52 and Gilbert was only 10), the first five children were already adults, while the youngest (Gilbert) was still a child. Our father remarried three years after our own mother died.

I must admit, although we already knew way back in 1978 that he was mentally challenged, we still did not give him the time and care that he should be receiving as a special child. All of us had our own life to live – I and the one next to me were working, the next one was a working student, and the other two were busy with their studies. If our mother did not die at an early age, Gilbert would not have regressed into being a psychotic. He would have received special care from our mother, and could have been protected from bullies.

It is only now that my siblings and I have adult children that we are able to focus on Gilbert and his needs.

The doctor has time and again said that since Gilbert’s case is at an advance stage, all we can do is to give him the special care that he needs so that he will not regress further.

I wonder, will God allow me to go before Gilbert? Will I eventually leave him to my daughter and her husband? I hope that the other nieces or nephews who are based in other countries will help in the support of Gilbert when everyone of us his siblings are no longer around.

Every time I am in this kind of thinking, I have to go back to the Bible, and actively trust in God’s promises.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3).

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)