Holiday From Troubles
A client heard during his stay that he was facing even greater problems than he'd expected when his treatment with us was to be completed. He was up all night stewing about it and by dinner the next day he'd worked himself into quite a state; to the point where he wanted to self-discharge and go find his drug of choice. I overheard a counsellor pull him aside and advise him that in a very real way he needed to allow himself a 'holiday from his troubles' and to do it in a very conscious way. Push the thoughts from his mind and every time they started to slip back in again, sweep them away. My initial impression was that it sounded trite and superficial but evidently he took it to heart and applied himself. Over the course of the evening I could hardly believe the change in him; his presentation, attitude and the way he conducted himself. Transformed. I filed that one away.
On the way to dinner tonight I ran over the concept with Lynda and we agreed to stay away from contentious issues and focus on recalling positive aspects of our years together. People we've known, family events, periods where we've supported and encouraged each other, the people we've grieved over together. Outcome? We had the best time together that we've had in months. Has anything changed? No. Back to reality and splitsville tomorrow but tonight's dinner was great.
We ate one of a chain of restaurants called the 'Keg' and it's primarily a steak house. It was the finest meal I've had in months - lobster and crab bisque, prime rib roast beef, garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus and a virgin Caesar. Beautiful - I was full to bursting.
Unfortunately the theatre wasn't too terrific. We'd visited with Mom and sis Linda for a bit before taking Mom along to the theatre. After the first act of the farce the lot of us looked at each other, shrugged and asked if anyone wanted to sit through the second. It was unanimous - we headed for the door. Normally the productions are quite good but this particular one wasn't. We'll see what they come up with next month.
Sis Linda is off to Cuba yet again today, this time for 2 weeks. I'll be doing some sleepovers at Mom's.
Lynda finds out today if she's been approved for an apartment she applied for. It's walking distance to her work so she'll be able to save some money on gas & wear and tear on her car. She mentioned tonight that this will mark the first time in her life that she's lived alone - from her parents, to first marriage at 17, to moving in with & then marrying me. Amazing. She thinks she'll be able to have our dog, Freedom, at the new place. I don't know where I'm going but hope to take the two cats, Libby (Liberty) and Buddy/Fatman.
Things will work out the way they're supposed to.
On the way to dinner tonight I ran over the concept with Lynda and we agreed to stay away from contentious issues and focus on recalling positive aspects of our years together. People we've known, family events, periods where we've supported and encouraged each other, the people we've grieved over together. Outcome? We had the best time together that we've had in months. Has anything changed? No. Back to reality and splitsville tomorrow but tonight's dinner was great.
We ate one of a chain of restaurants called the 'Keg' and it's primarily a steak house. It was the finest meal I've had in months - lobster and crab bisque, prime rib roast beef, garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus and a virgin Caesar. Beautiful - I was full to bursting.
Unfortunately the theatre wasn't too terrific. We'd visited with Mom and sis Linda for a bit before taking Mom along to the theatre. After the first act of the farce the lot of us looked at each other, shrugged and asked if anyone wanted to sit through the second. It was unanimous - we headed for the door. Normally the productions are quite good but this particular one wasn't. We'll see what they come up with next month.
Sis Linda is off to Cuba yet again today, this time for 2 weeks. I'll be doing some sleepovers at Mom's.
Lynda finds out today if she's been approved for an apartment she applied for. It's walking distance to her work so she'll be able to save some money on gas & wear and tear on her car. She mentioned tonight that this will mark the first time in her life that she's lived alone - from her parents, to first marriage at 17, to moving in with & then marrying me. Amazing. She thinks she'll be able to have our dog, Freedom, at the new place. I don't know where I'm going but hope to take the two cats, Libby (Liberty) and Buddy/Fatman.
Things will work out the way they're supposed to.
posted by Norm at 3/23/2007 02:53:00 AM
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