Some Reflections on me

Credits:On the Veranda PK - Linda Rechtin Bluebells and Butterflies PK - Lauren Bavin Tearrific Day PK - Irene Alexeeva Tearrific Evening PK - Irene Alexeeva Garden Friendships PK - Kim Liddiard Rub a Dub Dub Classic PK - Meryl Bartho Quadrants SS- Mandy Steward

Some times I wish I could just sit forever in a beautiful room at stare out the window and enjoy quiet and harmony. I created this room to reflect the simplicity of inside, looking out into the complexity of the world.



Credits: Seasons of the Heart DSAG June kit Essential Sparkles - Birgit Kerr Font Lucinda Handwriting

Seasons of My Mind, the Journaling around the edge of the photo reads:
Depression means I struggle with all I am to get to the bridge.
Mania means I run to get to the bridge over and over and over.
Normal means it matters not whether I ever reach the bridge,
God keeps me from jumping off the bridge when I get there.

I suffer from rapid cycling bipolar II disorder. It is an almost daily struggle, even "normal" is a struggle. Frankly, mania means creativity, introspection, and incredible freedom from the constraints of daily life, but it is also scary, out of control at times, followed by depression, sometimes suicidal thoughts and it all happen within hours, days or months. But, with medication, counseling, a very strong husband, and fabulous daughter, the love of God and a very busy guardian angel working overtime, I have stayed out of the hospital for over two years.

I work with children with serious substance abuse and mental health problems, and I love every minute. I am not ashamed of my mental illness, I am only ashamed of our society who continues to put such a stigma on mental illness and continue to relegate those with mental illness to second class citizen status.

People treat me differently when they find out about my mental illness, just as they treat my daughter differently when they find out that she has Asperger's Syndrome. I say shame on them for their small mindedness and ignorance. My daughter and I have more to offer them than they have to offer us.