Wearing Weary

"There is no normal life that is free of pain.  It's the very wrestling with our problems that can be the impetus for our growth." - Fred Rogers

“Mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain and you feel the rain, but, importantly, you are not the rain.” - Matt Haig

“I found that with depression, one of the most important things you can realize is that you’re not alone. You’re not the first to go through it, you’re not gonna be the last to go through it,”
— Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

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It is not fully my story to tell...so I will not.  But I know that she has been struggling and that the last three weeks have been harder than any that she has had in her young life.  But, she is making it through to the other side, into the world again.  And she will not be alone...we will be there for her.

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Today, she turns 16 years old.  The wonder of her still amazes me and I am continually surprised by her thoughtfulness, kindness, humor and strength.  I only hope she can eventually understand this in herself.  

Until then: “You are not alone. You are seen. I am with you. You are not alone.”

— Shonda Rhimes

And pictures:

  

Much Needed Self Care...

For my Birthday this year, I got a weekend away from everyone at a nice hotel with a spa.  This was the weekend.  And much needed it was!

After facial--good start!

My room--the Bed Is MINE!  And fire place--ooooh!!

Sitting rooms everywhere.

Fancy water--and nicest key card I have ever seen!

Very eclectic decorations...

Out at a restaurant nearby--the biggest sushi I have seen!

Highlights included Binge watching some Netflix, flicking on the 30 min. timer on the gas fireplace as often as possible...massage and facial, yummy food and time enough to read.  Rest and relaxation - check! 

 

A Quarter of a Century..

This past post mainly sums up my thoughts on Michael:

https://polantworld.blogspot.com/2017/02/michael.html

Today, he is 25 years old.  TWENTY-FIVE! I cannot imagine my life without him and I cannot imagine him as an adult---but he is definitely not "mine" anymore.  He is growing and maturing into the adult he is/will be.  I am lucky I still get to see him every day, while he lives at home with us and commutes to college.  

Our mother/son dynamic had a rocky time a few years ago (teen years SUCK, as we can still attest to with Willow)...but the last three years have been a mending time and I think Michael and I have a better, stronger relationship now.

Its still a challenge and the world is not always kind to someone who is neurodivergent.  But...this year he has taken on challenges and faced them, making me a little less worried about his future. 

Now, tonight we celebrate at---LEGAL SEAFOODs!  

Happy Birthday, Michael!

Part of Birthday festivities--going to Evil Dead the Musical!

Holding Baragon.

Buying an ASH figure from Uncle Tom...

When he worked at CVS this past year.

Still here in Hard Timesville....

We are still struggling, and added work issues have just made it worse...so...how about cute pictures to remind me that there is good despite it all!

Knight being a comfort to all.

A mental health day for both of us, includes a breakfast out!

Delenn being damned cute.

Willow still has a sense of humor.

Knight and Lucifer, pigging out!

Kif being a cat!

Dr. Who Bear

Bride of Frankenstein bear...hair is so cuddly.

Hmmm...a lot of pictures of the guinea piggies!

One of Willow's talents...

Lucifer

Michael this past weekend.