Katie always enjoyed dance. So from a very young age she went to dance classes, and from her wedding video you can see that she is  very beautiful, competent dancer. We were hoping to find an activity that Tommy would enjoy.  He signed up for T-ball.  He was out in left field, picking daisies, and looking at the clouds, he had no clue what the game was about, nor did he care. But he was there, and we at least tried the activity.
   Tommy was then a cub scout. Scouts met in the evenings.  Ritalin wears off around super time and Tommy was a chatter box from that time forward.  I told the Scout master about his ADHD but one evening I was called to pick him up. Apparently I needed to bring him home due to bad behavior.  The behavior? Too much talking!  Well, I blew...and since Cub Scouts wasn't Tommy's "thing"....he left. On to karate.  At first, he did beautifully.  He looked wonderful in his karate garb and he had a knack for all the proper moves. Unfortunately, something happened, and I will never know what.  It was time to go, and Tommy was missing.  At this point I beieve he was in third grade.  He loved to ride his bike, but his bike was in the garage. He finally turned up huddled in his closet. No, he was not going to go to karate again, and NO, he would not tell me why. 
   That was the end of organized activities.  We let Tommy play with his friends, and do his own thing.  He was happier, and we were happier.  He told his friend Mike's Mom, that " I don't enjoy organized sports, I prefer more independent activities."  She got a big kick out ot the choice of words from a third grader. 

Preschool Shenanigans

Tommy and I went to the Bolingbrook Park District Stepping Stones Preschool together.  I began on Side A, as a teacher.( Ms. Peg ) Tommy began on Side B, as a student with his two teachers.  It was a superb program and Tommy flourished.  One project we had set up for the children was regarding their family.  We had selected pictures from magazines.  Ladies with brown hair, or red hair, or blonde hair, etc. were cut from magazines. Daddies that are tall and short, and brothers and sisters of all sizes and ages were available to put on your family paper.  Your teacher could help you label them if you wanted.  There were many magazines available if you didn’t see a pre-cut picture that reminded you of a family member.

   Ms. Julie told me Tommy spent a very long time on his project.  Tommy wasn’t known for his patience. I was intrigued. I was hoping for a slender lady with long brown hair wearing a beautiful gown to represent me.  No such luck.  Tommy had chosen FOUR naked babies.  Each one represented a family member.  Only Tommy would have thought to represent his family in this strange way.  Tommy was so creative, but also quite unusual. He had a twinkle in his eye when he presented his assignment to me.

    Katie Wartell Hines was born in 1978. I, Peg Wartell, her Mom did not sleep for the first days of her life. Eventually, I became very ill, and spent quite a few days at Northwestern Psyche Ward. Diagnosed incorrectly with post partum psychosis, I was over-medicated with haldol (a very powerful anti-psychotic drug) and experienced a year from hell.  
     We were reassured by an incompetent psychiatrist that this would not happen again if I had another child.  We very much wanted another baby, and Tom promised that I would not have to be hospitalized again and be torn from my newborn. Thank God he kept his promise.
   And so, Tommy was born in 1981, and even though I became ill again, we were guided by an excellent doctor and a correct diagnosis and treatment.  I was able to stay at home with my new baby and my precious Katie, and I was well much sooner.
   There was a blessing in that misdiagnosis.  If we knew that I would have become ill when I had another child, we probably would have chosen to have only our Katie.  We thank God we had our Tommy too!
   He did not have an easy life. Tommy was hyperactive as a child, and later bipolar. He had many struggles adjusting and accepting being gay. There were many times Tommy became manic.  Other times he would be very depressed.     Ahh...but he was kind, loving, funny, spiritual, wise and always very interesting to live with!  His incredible grasp of words began at the age of three (bubonic plague, euphemism, etc.). His remarkable intelligence impressed many people, but never really seemed to impress him. In conclusion, we were so very blessed that he joined us, and made The Wartells a family of four.