To Be Your Friend.

It's been a rough month, but the last few days have been better...." I say when a dear friend asks about Superman. 

"Still on a StarWars high, is he?? 

We both laugh...YUP.

Rough.

We've been here before. But it doesn't matter how "experienced" we are with bipolar disorder it still feels overwhelming ever single time we face the no-mans-land somewhere between stability and chaos.... 

I try I really do....some days I'm really awesome at handling it all....

I listen with my heart and not my ears as frustrations freely fly.

I hold him and hug him, hoping my touch will break through, when words can't be expressed or heard.

I walk away in moments when time is his only solace.

I pray constantly for courage and guidance and tenacity....

And sometimes I just lose it and admit how $&@#%^* hard this is on him and me and us...

Help.

I guess the blessing of this illness is found in those tender acts of kindness we witness, especially when we find ourselves in no-mans-land...

Grant was angry when I accepted an offer from our new bishop to come visit...

He hates having to explain his "disorder" .....But I watched Grant's worry quickly slip away as there was little need for explanation, because so much was already understood.

Our new bishop then said this...

Look Grant, I don't want to just be your bishop, I want to be your FRIEND.

When so many don't know what to say...Our bishop found words to succour.

"I want to be your friend". I've thought much about those words in the days and weeks that have followed...

If we all could reach out to those around us, with those words in mind...

I want to be your friend..

Even though our struggle continues, I will be forever grateful for our friends.