"i know i shouldn'y have lent him the money.."

"I knew it was a mistake to let my brother take the money." Sheila said to herself as she grabbed her keys and headed out the door to pick her brother up at the train station. Dan has always been bad with managing his money. When he was younger he'd quickly spend his allowance and then go to her with puppy dog eyes asking for some money so he could go see the latest flick with his friends. Sheila being more a saver than a spender, certainly had enough stashed to share, so she did.

Last month while Dan was down on his luck he came over once again to seek relief from his sister Sheila to help him out "this last time, I promise." His promises were as frequently followed through as her promises to herself to take those last 20 lbs off. She succumbed to his pleadings and gave him the 800 for his rent. What a mistake that was, because she is now picking him up at the station because he used the money for other things, leaving him evicted.

Being the nice sister she is, Dan is coming to live with them "just for a little while so I can get back on my feet." Oh how long will be a little while?

"Hi Dan." Sheila greeted her unshaven, slovenly dressed brother, "how are you doing."

"Life has been better," he replied. As she quickly thought to her self "when was that? when you lived with Mom and Dad and you didn't have to pay rent or work?" She rapidly stopped her thoughts as she turned and gave him a hug.

Sheila was unsure how she was going to have her brother stay with her, her six kids, husband and only 3 bedrooms. They will manage. They always do. The two of them walked in silence to the car. Dan dragging all is belongings behind him in a duffel bag on wheels.

As they got settled in the car and drove out of the parking lot, they began to talk, only stopping to pay the lady in the booth.

"Dan what are your plans? I have a friend that works over at the grocery store and know they are hiring night stockers. I can set up a time for you to meet with him."

"I think right now what I need is some time to think and regroup. I sure have made a mess of my life and don't know which way to go. I am scared Sheila. I really am scared." His eyes welded up with tears, his bottom lip puckered as if he was still four.

It broke her heart to see her brother this way. But she wasn't going to let him sucker her into helping him again. Whats that saying give a man a fish he will eat for a day, give him a pole and he can eat for life...something like that. Today is the day she is handing him the pole. He is going to learn to fish for his own successes and not depend on others to do it. But where to begin.