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grannyinlongjohns Is a Vibrant Nation General User subscribe to this blog

grannyinlongjohns

Life livd as an adventure.  Every experience a teacher.  Romantically disavowed, endlessly in love.  Raised Catholic and true to my faith.  Mind like a mirrored disco ball.  Life reflected my dance and told me I wasn't a prima donna, just a little girl whose head is full of wonder and always looking forward to new ways to learn and grow.  All that despite surviving a brutal father, addiction and being bipolar.

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my VN interview

How did you get to where you are now?

Quoting Spock on Star Trek.  "There are always alternatives".  I have always thought that in every problem there is only a situation that challenges those who live to find the alternative by adopting the right attitude.  High functioning bipolar has been managed well by medication. 

How do you see yourself differently now than you did 10 years ago?

Free.  I've lost the imperative to please everyone I know.  I've learned that being honest is the most winsome attitude.  I get less static from people because I've learned an important line from a judge:  "I already don't like where this is going".  I assert, with respect and even compromise, but I don't lose sight of the woman I am.  Age has given me credibility and taught me to be a friend to all I can. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Where the Good Lord puts me.  I want to have a life that serves as well as receives.  Still, a house on the coast of Maine where I could write full time appeals to me. Living with my soul mate who has given me the lesson of learning to love unconditionally.  Hoping my grandkids will never stop being the jewels of my life.

a postcard to my younger self

Attitude is everything.  Every problem can be more attitude than actuality.  Adopt the motto - I don't have a problem, I have an attitude or an adventure.  Take your damn meds!  Don't ever believe you've got the game of life down to a science.  The real world will always surprise you and teach you what you need to know.  You have your own path to walk.  Do not expect others to walk that path with you - it is your own.  No one is your friend, everyone is your teacher.

my role models

Jesus, Mother Theresa, my parents, James Herriot, Barbara Kingsolver, and in a minor way all the souls that have teached me lessons I needed badly.

my posts

Nobody’s Whipping Boy

Posted in family & relationships on January 10, 2012
Ladies, please advise me. Was I too harsh? I believe in turning the other cheek but I feel abused. What would you do????read more »

it comes in silence

Posted in family & relationships on January 09, 2012
Every time we give the gift of ourselves we give our life meaning. read more »

Wild Wonderful Way

Posted in books & entertainment, love & sex on January 02, 2012
I see you now like I never have before just when I thought love was closing the doorread more »

A Musing Epiphany

Posted in family & relationships, home & garden, other topics, spirituality on January 01, 2012
2011: I went through a separation with my husband, got diagnosed with diabetes, spent a week in hospital, saw my daughter charged with assault, got up every night to change my nightgown, but as God as my witness I sit here counting my blessings.read more »

God And Broken Things

Posted in family & relationships, spirituality on December 26, 2011
My daughter has been diagnosed with bipolar syndrome (a condition I have learned to live with) and needs ongoing care. She needs special care and gentle kindness. And she needs to be understood - something I can do. read more »

my comments

Response to: My Son Is Killing Himself And I Can't Even Help Him

Comment posted on January 3, 2012 at 8:35 pm:
"My heart goes out to you.  My 21 year old daughter is mentally ill and I feel powerless to help.  She is sweet and warm one day and angry and violent the next.  Tonight she is with her only friend and they will do drugs.  The last time she did dr..." (read comment)

Response to: God And Broken Things

Comment posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:48 pm:
"Thank you Magnolia for you response.  It helps somehow to know other families have had to cope with children who cut.  It left me feeling less alone in this trauma.  I understand that cutting is a form of communication.  Youngsters cut when they ..." (read comment)

Response to: God And Broken Things

Comment posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:24 pm:
"Thank you kat for your supportive answer.  I will be as determined as a bull dog to find the help she needs.  I phoned Catholic Family Services on Friday, past, and they recommended I contact the Canadian Association For Mental Health.  They will ..." (read comment)

Response to: Where is everyone?

Comment posted on April 30, 2011 at 10:58 am:
"I loved the old VN. The home page was filled with interesting comments and was so much easier to use. I felt betrayed. As a regular poster I felt that VN became more interested in showcasing the experts and mechandise to buy. I think they made a ..." (read comment)

Response to: Fairly or equally?

Comment posted on April 29, 2011 at 4:44 am:
"The legacy you leave behind could be animosity beteen these siblings. If you love them both you might want to consider that. It's a difficult situation but your decision will have a lasting effect...." (read comment)