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. ššŖ¶
I too strive to stop buying tickets for the terrifying mind rides. You are a brave and devoted mother as well and Iām lucky to have connected with you and Douglas!
I remember, too, so vividly the desire to put off the phone calls because I didn't want to tell people how Garrett died. It just compounded the shock and grief. Hugs to you, dear Joanie!
Hugs to both of you! I remember dreading receiving phone calls with bad news. I got ones of manic episodes and hospitalizations and then I got the final one of death.
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.
Garrett was brave too! He made a difference on earth with his openness about his addiction. Alix and Garrett can be angel advocates together in heaven!
Yes, Dom did, and like Alix, he had to show a lot of courage in doing so. I think we all wear masks at time, and it is exhausting when we feel we have to. Iām glad Alix and Dom experienced those times when they allowed themselves to be real ā¤ļø
Love this Julie. Like your daughter Alix, I too am bipolar. It is only through the power of writing that I've taken off that mask. May we all reveal our true selves, one way or another.
Gen Z is so much more comfortable with this than previous generations! They've made it much easier for others to open up and have conversations about mental health.
Alix was very courageous to have shared her illness with her classmates at such a young and vulnerable age. It speaks volumes about the kind of young woman you raised. Thanks for sharing that. xo
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. ššŖ¶
I too strive to stop buying tickets for the terrifying mind rides. You are a brave and devoted mother as well and Iām lucky to have connected with you and Douglas!
I remember, too, so vividly the desire to put off the phone calls because I didn't want to tell people how Garrett died. It just compounded the shock and grief. Hugs to you, dear Joanie!
Hugs to both of you! I remember dreading receiving phone calls with bad news. I got ones of manic episodes and hospitalizations and then I got the final one of death.
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.
Garrett was brave too! He made a difference on earth with his openness about his addiction. Alix and Garrett can be angel advocates together in heaven!
Yes, Dom did, and like Alix, he had to show a lot of courage in doing so. I think we all wear masks at time, and it is exhausting when we feel we have to. Iām glad Alix and Dom experienced those times when they allowed themselves to be real ā¤ļø
Dom was another brave soul! Iām glad they both got to be real and Iām sure Alix and Dom can be their true selves in heaven.
Yesā¦I think they will, itās comforting to hear you say this too Julie, thank you š ā¤ļø
One day we will see them again fully themselves and carefree!
šš„°ā¤ļø
How brave of Alix to share and take off her mask to classmates. A brave soul.
Yes she was a brave soul.
Love this Julie. Like your daughter Alix, I too am bipolar. It is only through the power of writing that I've taken off that mask. May we all reveal our true selves, one way or another.
Thank you for sharing! Yes may we all reveal our true selves. It is also a great way to fight stigma!
She was so brave.
Alix did show courage!
Always beautiful, Julie.
Iām grateful to you for reading my posts. Iām glad they resonate with you!
Gen Z is so much more comfortable with this than previous generations! They've made it much easier for others to open up and have conversations about mental health.
That is a good point! Iām glad they are more comfortable and open the door for others to follow their example without the stigma.
Beyond brave.
Her courage inspires me!
šŖšæšŖšæšŖšæšŖšæššš
Alix was very courageous to have shared her illness with her classmates at such a young and vulnerable age. It speaks volumes about the kind of young woman you raised. Thanks for sharing that. xo
Thank you for appreciating Alixās courage and how I raised her. That means a lot!