IN PERSPECTIVE

What a day yesterday was. My morning walk was not uneventful. I got up early, showered, put on my makeup etc. got on my walking clothes and slipped out the front door to do my two miles. Made it a mile down the hill and along the street when it started to sprinkle. I turned around and headed for a tree as God announced "Let the deluge begin!" After it had slowed to a light shower, I started up the hill and looked up to see a smiling son-in-law in a Prius == in his stocking feet no less -- who had rapidly departed on a mission to rescue me from the storm. The storm continued to build insofar as wind is concerned taking down a set of wind chimes and threatening to carry off the mini dachshund who was not happy about taking any trips out doors. We therefore spent the day inside visiting, playing the WII, watching a movie and cooking and eating. I started rounding up my things as I flew home today...a 12:50 flight arriving in Houston around 6:15. I enjoy spending time with my daughter and her family very much. I wish that we lived closer. I don't know my grandchildren the way that I always had planned. I had a great visit and remained completely stable while I was there. Sometimes the change in time zones plays havoc with my sleep and then my moods but it was fine this time. Dropping the extra Wellbutrin seems to have made the difference in the sleep problems.

My girls were glad to see me. I was glad to see them...Somehow they are more like real dogs to me...I've always had big dogs. They seem more like people to me. My companions. We'll walk in the morning. Brother cowboy won't be home from the ranch until tomorrow. I've missed him too. We had Christmas together the night before I left and he made me a card and put pictures of this beautiful bedroom furniture suite in the card telling me that it was my Christmas present. I almost fell off the chair. But more importantly, he said some things about how hard I had worked to stabilize myself and how much he cared and got me all teary eyed. It was that part of the present that meant the most...knowing that he realizes that it's now always easy to stay focused and not give in to the mood swings...to be actively aware of "where I am" all the time so I can catch it before it gets away from me. Sometimes I tire of the effort. I'd give anything to be who I used to be - the woman who could do it all---with no side effects. But then that's what I want. Listening to my brother's message put things in perspective: we affect other people's lives.