I was inspired by several mental health activists who use art as a way to express their thoughts about what it is like living with a mental health issue. However, my artistic abilities never graduated beyond stick figures. What I decided to do was combine the art that I could do with my ability to make short videos.
The following is a result of that combination:
Mental Health America began its tradition of celebrating ” May is Mental Health Month” in 1949. From the beginning, the purpose of this celebration is to raise awareness of mental health conditions and mental wellness for all.
This year, Mental Health America will be addressing these issues through two themes:
Do more for 1 in 4 is a call to action to help the 1 in 4 American adults who live with a diagnosable, treatable mental health condition and the fact that they can go on to live full of productive lives.
The second theme, Live Well! It’s Essential for Your Potential, focuses on the importance of mental wellness in the steps ever when content to improve their well being and resiliency in the face of difficult times and challenges.
My plan is to participate in this awareness month. One of the ways I intend to do that is by creating a new Mentl Health Month post every day in May. I hope you join me during this time of raising awareness about mental health issues by supporting each other in our individual endeavors to use our voices in order to bring hope to anyone who has a mental health issue for has a family member that does.
Remember when I told you about Minnie’s dog kennel mishap? If not, you can read about it here Not Good, Not Good At All . Both of us were very traumatized -probably me more so than her. At the end of that blog post I promised to write an email to the company who sells the product and let you know what their response was.
I did write them. However, in hindsight I probably should not have started off my email with:
Your product almost killed my dog…
It was not until I spoke with Gregory from ABO that I became aware of the position I had put him and his company in. Basically, I had placed them between a rock and a hard place. All I really wanted was an acknowledgement of what their product had done to my dog, but Gregory could not even do that. Why? Because of the society we live in. He honestly thought I was setting him, and his company up for a lawsuit. That was never my intention, but I could see why an email starting off the way mine did would cause someone to think that.
Thankfully, Gregory is a very kind man and overlooked my mistake – spending a great deal of time talking to me. From that conversation I learned about how Gregory and ABO work to rescue, and find loving homes for many homeless animals in the Atlanta area. He seems like a very caring man who is passionate about what he is called to do.
Now onto why I had contacted Gregory in the first place. He explained to me that the directions that came with the kennel specifically state that an animal should not be left unattended in it. However, it was obvious Gregory felt bad about Minnie’s trauma, even if he had to be careful about what he said. In the end, he told me I could pick out two toys from his store, ABO, email him, and he would make sure that they were sent to Minnie.
Out of all the things I learned from this experience, two really stand out:
1. I think ABO is a neat company – with a great mission – and I hope you check them out.
2. Never, under any circumstances, start off a letter of complaint with the words “Your product almost killed…” it tends to get people’s hackles up.
Dear Dad,
I miss you.
Yesterday, we opened up the last of your stockpile of mayonnaise. You know the one I am talking about.. the gallon size jar of mayonnaise. I know it sounds silly, but I almost cried when we did.
Opening up the giant jar of mayo reminded me of your other stockpiles around the house – the toilet paper tower, the paper towel pyramid, and a few things left in the freezer. I briefly thought about hiding one or two of your stockpiles, because as long as those things are still here, it almost feels like you are still around and taking care of us.
I still have not gotten used to you not being here anymore. It feels like some of the sparkle in the world is gone.
I love you,
Missy
I was wrong about something. I made an assumption about one of mom’s friends that was wrong.
Mom’s dearest friends are a bunch of well put together ladies. They have generous and Godly spirits. When I look at them, I just cannot imagine any of them having any of the same challenges in life that I have had. I learned differently the other day.
Mom had not really shared with her friends all of the details of why I was now living with her. Actually, I think beyond letting them know I was having marriage difficulties she had not really told them much of anything. It was not because she was embarrassed, it was out of respect for my privacy. So when they came over the other day, and I declined their lunch invitation because I needed some downtime, I felt I needed to explain to them that I had an anxiety disorder. The conversation progressed from there.
I talked about my depression, my suicide attempt, and my marriage. Actually, I went into quite a bit of detail about my marriage, and the events that led to me moving in with mom and dad. While I was talking, I noticed one of mom’s friends really identifying with what I was saying. In fact, she made some really spot on observations. She was able to point out Joe Bob’s controlling behavior, his manipulation, and other negative behavior that he exhibits. She was even able to clearly identify some of his manipulative behavior – that to outsiders looks perfectly harmless.
At some point, she shared a few things about her own life. I was surprised by what I heard. This gentle, soft spoken lady had marriage war stories of her own. Hers involved a great deal of physical abuse. Yet, she did not seem bitter, or angry. She honestly seemed at peace with her past. What an inspiration! What a lesson I learned!
I think I would love to hear her story. I think she has a lot to teach me. She has already taught me a big lesson about assuming someone has had it easy just because they look like they have it all together.
Taking the time to keep track of the things I am thankful for has been such a good reminder of how much I am blessed. I challenge you to keep track of the things that you are thankful for.
Sunday -the day I went to the aquarium -was not a good day for everyone. Minnie – my dog -had a horrible day. I had put her in a kennel since we were going to be gone all day. It was one of those fold up cloth kennels. It has bars on the side – which you lock into place – to prevent the kennel from collapsing. On each end of the kennel, there are two little openings, whose purpose is to allow access to the locking mechanism.
Somehow, Minnie managed to squeeze her head through one of the openings, and she became stuck. Not only was her head stuck in the small opening, she was also hung on the bars. Due to how short Minnie is, and the position of the opening, only her back paws were able to reach the bottom of the kennel. She had to of been very uncomfortable. I hope she had not been stuck like that all day.
Mom and I tried very hard to free her, but Minnie was tired of being stuck and was panicking. We made the decision to make the opening bigger. Once the opening was big enough, and we could maneuver her around the bars, she was free.
I am going to write the manufacturer, and suggest that a product recall might be in order. I will let you know what kind of response I get.
Mom found this when she was organizing a few things. She thought -correctly – I would find it helpful with all the things Joe Bob, June Bob, Jessup Bob, and Jo Jo Bob have said to me recently. I do not know who wrote this, otherwise I would give them credit for it.
ANYWAY
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis,
It is between you and God;
It was never between you and them
anyway.
Yesterday, I spent the day at the Georgia Aquarium with my family. When I first found out that we were going, I really had mixed emotions about the trip. I wanted to go because I enjoy that kind thing, however, because of my anxiety issue it has been YEARS since I have been any place filled with that many people. I decided to go with an open mind, prepared to have fun rather than worry about my anxiety.
It was crowded, and there were definitely a lot of screaming kids, but I really enjoyed myself. What really surprised me was how well I did during the dolphin show. When I walked into the area where the dolphin show was held, and saw the crowd, I almost walked out. It was huge, and even though it was about 15 minutes before the show was supposed to start, people were packed into the seats.
Mom and her friend were already seated -they had been escorted to the handicap section. While I was looking for my own seat I saw mom, and stopped to say something to her. The gentleman who was in charge of that section was nice enough to get me a chair so I could sit with her. That turned out to be a great place for me to sit. Because of the way the handicap section is set up, I did not feel all packed in like I would have if I had sat in the regular section. There was no feeling of my personal space being invaded.
No offense to any of you parents with small children, but the sound of a screaming child will send my anxiety levels shooting sky high faster than just about anything else. While we were waiting for the dolphin show to start a toddler -who was probably very tired -had a meltdown. Unfortunately, the toddler was right behind me. Even then, I managed my anxiety better than I would have in the past.
I think the beluga whales, and the jellyfish were my favorite exhibits. I enjoyed watching the whales gracefully move through the water, and jellyfish are weird, and that is why I like them.
Overall, the aquarium trip rocked! Here are a few the pictures I took:
My mom is actually sleeping. Before you say ” So what?”, I need to explain something to you. At the end of last week, mom went about four days with barely any sleep, and this week she has not experienced much of a change. The primary reason is Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). Her legs have been making her more miserable than usual.
I have heard her crying, and moaning because of how miserable she is. There are days when she looks physically ill, because of how little sleep she has had. There is no doubt in my mind that the lack of sleep is detrimental to her health, and I am not sure if there is much more -if anything – that can be done to help her. She is suffering, and is attempting to cope as best as she can.
I usually, get up a few times every night. When I do, I try to locate mom – just to check on her. That ritual is like playing a game of ” Where’s Waldo” – I never quite know where she is going to be when I start looking for her. This morning was no exception. This time I actually found her in a bed -snoring. That tells me that she was not only asleep, but that it was one of the few times she managed to fall deeply asleep.
Just because I found her sleeping does not mean she got a decent night’s rest. So – like I normally do – I tried to make as little noise is possible. I hope she is still asleep.
I wanted to share this with you, because I do not think most people realize how horrible RLS can make someone’s life. I believe Restless Leg Syndrome is an Invisible Illness whose detrimental effects on a person’s mind, and body have long been misunderstood.