A Day to Begin Healing

Family drama is often not pretty.  Been there, done that, is something that we can all probably repeat with confidence.  Family drama is often not pretty.

I've been laboring under varying degrees of drama for 4-5 months now and last night had me up against the wall.  I knew, because of another person's deep hurt, I could not walk the fence anymore.  I may have wanted a different outcome but now I'm facing the reality that a choice must be made and I did just that today.

Facing the reality of mental illness means understanding that it cannot be dealt with rationally.  Even with medication, all it does is hold the wrong behaviors at bay.

Until the obsessions are dealt with and understood, there can be no successful progress in a relationship, no matter if it is a marriage, a friendship, a family connection.  The behaviors have to be acknowledged and dealt with, head on.  If this doesn't happen, survival and self-protection become primary.

We understand that we must help and love but also we must self-protect.  Or, in my case, protect someone I love.  That means no enabling, no accepting of the bad behavior.  We express our love best by being truthful.  We don't do the sick person any favors by giving them a pass.

Today I felt cut loose.  I had to wander.  I visited my daughter for a couple of hours and enjoyed wee Matteo while Sebastian peacefully napped.

After leaving her, I headed out for ice cream.  When things are hard, ice cream is the solution.  Ask anyone, especially a woman.  But, I was hungry too, so my first stop of Kraving Kebab Pizza.

There, I settled in with kebab nachos.  Think pita bread covered with romaine lettuce, pork, tomatoes, and cucumbers, all covered with a luscious yogurt sauce.  The red stuff on the side is buffalo sauce.  I've never met one I liked and this proved to be no exception.  Thank goodness, I had it on the side. One request for a side of extra yogurt sauce and I was happy, happy.

Next up was ice cream.  The Oak and Barrel Ice and Creamery is a  hole in the wall spot where divine artisan ice creams are hand made.  Today's choice was a single scoop of Coffee Caramel Cream Ice, a light blend of coffee and caramel bringing refreshment with a little kick.  Oh yes, very satisfying.

Earlier in the day, I was texting with the one person I can bring anything to and on a day like today, it was my turn to get help clarifying my thoughts.   Her solution was to buy a fresh herb.  Keep it handy and enjoy its intense fragrance. Or, buy a scented Geranium.  Since I love Geraniums, this was a sensible idea.  I would kill the herb, but the hardy Geranium would be safe from my brown thumb.

The Greenery nursery is one of my favorite places to wander around and since I was truly wandering, this became my 4th stop of the day.

The Greenery is a wonderland of, well . . .  it's a Wonderland.  My mission to find a Scented Geranium ended in failure (only two left and zero fragrance) so it was on to succulents, the ONLY plant that has always survived my attentions, or lack thereof.

I came home with a young, single stalk Fire Stick.  The link sends you to a Google image page.  Prepare to gasp.  I can't wait for mine to mature and grow.  

The Greenery is also famous for its Fairy Garden supplies and classes.  Below are four I spotted that are ready to find a home.

I came home rejuvenated but my day wasn't quite over.  Date night had Don and I enjoying ice tea and coffee at Luis' Coffee and Tea.  It was music night and we met up with friends and talked the night away.  Next post will have pictures from the evening.

I pray I sleep well tonight.  More to the point, I pray that my daughter sleeps well.