Mask Off
The Victorian woman lowers her mask and reveals her identity. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, revelers partied with abandon at masquerade balls. Their masks hid their identity and allowed them to break societal norms. When the big reveal arrived at midnight and masks came off, there was safety in numbers.
My daughter also took off her mask. In a college psychology class Alix announced that she had bipolar disorder. Alix alone shared her mental illness with her classmates and fought stigma. Now she can be a mental health advocate in heaven. Perhaps other angels will join her.
Do you have a loved one who took off their mask?
Yes, as many are noting, Alix, so very courageous to do what she did. To reveal to her classmates what she was living into.
My mask that finds its way to my face, and then off again is that I lost Douglas to the disease of addiction. I recall in early loss, 'wishing' I could say, a driving accident, cancer, anything but addiction. It felt like a very complicated grief and still can.
Oh, how our minds spin out, and lead us on terrifying rides when we allow them to. I have tried to stop purchasing tickets to mine when it's spiraling out. Loving care to us all, masks on, masks off. A poignant post, Julie. My gratitude for your bravery as well devoted mother that YOU are. 💜🪶
That was so brave of Alix! She surely is an advocate now, and so are you, dear Julie.
Garrett shared his addiction with abandon, and no apologies. He wasn't about to pretend he was someone else or be inauthentic, and he was ok that not everyone would appreciate that. But his honesty about it endeared him to so many, and enabled him to help them, which he loved. I'm sure he's continuing this, still.