Ohio’s mental health system is apparently…

the public library.

I took the kids there today after piano lessons. I wanted to get some films and books on weaving and spinning since we had been reading about that in our Martha books. There were quite a few homeless folks in there reading and on the computers. That’s fine. It’s a cold day outside and I’m glad they had a place to be.

Rosie was being her typical almost-two-year-old self. I went to take her one direction, she wanted to go another and she let out a scream of protest. A man sitting at one of the computers said to me, “why is that baby screaming?”

I couldn’t really get a read on him but I thought maybe he was just making a friendly enquiry.

I said, “because she’s almost two and she can.” I thought I was rather friendly and straight forward. My answer was met with.

“Well then pick her up you dumb ****.”

Unfortunately this was right in front of my 7-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son. Rosie suddenly became very solemn as well. I guess my common sense finally kicked in. This person has some mental illness issues, is bigger than me, and is obviously not afraid of confrontation.

I turned and ran with the kids out of there and over to the security desk. Unfortunately because Sam and Gabe are older, they were still in that section looking around. I was a little afraid for them because they didn’t see me leave and I wasn’t sure what else this guy would do.

In the end it all turned out okay sorta. I got my kids and our materials and we were out of there within five minutes. The security man told me this guy is in the library almost everyday talking to the computer and to books. Sometimes they have to warn him.

Lesson learned. Stay away from the downtown library during regular business hours with the kids.

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