January 12, 2017

  • Watching the New Year Begin

    Misty mountain fog rises
    Steam from equine flanks
    Ridden to exhaustion
    Quiet desperation
    As the perspiration falls
    A light morning drizzle
    She stares up at the peaks
    Shrouded and indistinct
    She knows their solitude
    She is the mountain
    The road unravels
    Haze dissipates
    Yielding to day
    Hope fades

    This year 2017, has just begun. Everything should be new but I can still see the pattern of last year seeping through the fresh coat of paint. As much as we would like to escape the past it is always with us - a shadow of what we've seen and done. We may wish for a Peter Pan moment where our shadows break free. The truth is that losing our past is not so easily accomplished and when it does occur it is a dangerous signal that we've lost touch with reality.
    To recap this last week:
    1. Vacation is delightful. You can create pleasant memories to sustain you during less pleasant events.
    2. Less pleasant events are inevitable. Especially when you don't have a sense of control over outcomes.
    3. Escapism is a valid coping mechanism. Unfortunately the cost of movies at the theater make them less accessible as an escape form.
    4. Trying to find a coping strategy that does not involve self-destructive activities is more difficult than it sounds.
    5. The nice thing about having my blood drawn is that when it is done properly I don't bruise. I don't have a bruise.

Comments (8)

  • The only vacation I ever had was as a teen traveling with the parents. My husband never took a vacation and one period he did his military job and then a part time job. We did manage a weekend to the coast so I could see a lighthouse before my back surgery.

  • I'm glad you don't have a bruise -- sorry you have to work so hard at the coping!

  • I'm glad you have the good vacation memories to help through the not so fun times. DVDs, and playing spider solitaire, hearts online, or similar things are cheaper than movies, and help to distract me when stress is getting overwhelming. I hope you find your peace, and what works to get you through.

    • Tonight was the first night of ceramics so that helped a lot. Also I'm listening to my classical station while working - that makes it easier to tune out the negatives!

  • I think your coping skills are excellent! And so are mine! I just think about all the Veterans who are our VA hospice patients and others in our nursing home area and realize I am so very blessed to be able to visit with them and learn from them too....and hopefully brighten their days a little.

    • We all need to be needed and to be able to shine a little happiness into lives. I'll try to call this weekend!

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