I was, I'm ashamed to say, unsuccessful in getting everyone out of bed in time for church this morning. :-? Our service is early, 9:30 - 10:30 am, then our pastor drives to another church for an 11 am service. We'll have to have a devotional reading here in the living room to try to make up for it.
I do have something that's been weighing on me. Please forgive this:
An old friend and bandmate of mine is in jail, and has been for a couple months now, having started a good bit of trouble at a Beerfest near Savannah. He is bipolar, his first episode having manifested itself a few years back, and when he goes into the manic phase he's a big pain in the rear end. Since this started with him, I've defended him against all those people who call him crazy, explaining that it's just a chemical imbalance in his brain that can be controlled with medication. The problem is, he won't stop drinking long enough to take his medicine effectively.
I'm finally at my wits end with him. If he is going to choose to drink and skip his meds instead of taking care of himself, then he's on his own. I've refused all his collect calls from jail. Last week, I got a postcard from him, containing an apology of sorts, and a request for something to read. The jail allows books to be delivered from online retailers like Amazon. So, since it's Christmas and everyone deserves a Christmas present, I sent him a book yesterday.
I really hate that he has this burden to carry. His dad was bipolar, too, and I saw how embarrassing is was for him when we were kids. But new treatments can make the symptoms managable. All he has to do is give up the booze and put some effort into getting better.
Ah, sorry to unload this. His postcard is on my desk here, so it keeps him on my mind. He sounds better, judging from his writing, so maybe this time is the one that will change him...assuming he doesn't go to jail for a longer period after his hearing. Ugh.
I think I'll put on some Trans-Siberian Orchestra and grab a guitar. Have a great day, everyone! cheesy
I do have something that's been weighing on me. Please forgive this:
An old friend and bandmate of mine is in jail, and has been for a couple months now, having started a good bit of trouble at a Beerfest near Savannah. He is bipolar, his first episode having manifested itself a few years back, and when he goes into the manic phase he's a big pain in the rear end. Since this started with him, I've defended him against all those people who call him crazy, explaining that it's just a chemical imbalance in his brain that can be controlled with medication. The problem is, he won't stop drinking long enough to take his medicine effectively.
I'm finally at my wits end with him. If he is going to choose to drink and skip his meds instead of taking care of himself, then he's on his own. I've refused all his collect calls from jail. Last week, I got a postcard from him, containing an apology of sorts, and a request for something to read. The jail allows books to be delivered from online retailers like Amazon. So, since it's Christmas and everyone deserves a Christmas present, I sent him a book yesterday.
I really hate that he has this burden to carry. His dad was bipolar, too, and I saw how embarrassing is was for him when we were kids. But new treatments can make the symptoms managable. All he has to do is give up the booze and put some effort into getting better.
Ah, sorry to unload this. His postcard is on my desk here, so it keeps him on my mind. He sounds better, judging from his writing, so maybe this time is the one that will change him...assuming he doesn't go to jail for a longer period after his hearing. Ugh.
I think I'll put on some Trans-Siberian Orchestra and grab a guitar. Have a great day, everyone! cheesy
