- Can you believe that it’s already the middle of June? This year is really just flying by. Sometimes it’s just dizzying to think that we’ve been home due to the pandemic for about 15 months and counting.
- Hope is in her third week of work. Earlier this week she called in sick; she didn’t seem sick to me. That said, we all need mental health days, right? I also have been chastising myself to remember that Hope has been a slug for going on a year–some days she didn’t get out of bed. So yeah, working a 5 to 7 hour shift is probably beyond exhausting. She’s going to have to build up her endurance.
- I’ve also been really thinking about Hope’s behavior this last year. The pandemic has really been tough on her. Her first year of college was disrupted; she lost her developing friend group. There was a love affair that went super sour. There was a lot of isolation, and honestly, a lot of suffering. It is no wonder that she nearly clings to me like a baby sometimes.
- This last year and a half has been traumatic for all of us, but for some, like Hope, it’s been especially so.
- I do wonder how she will bounce back from this. It’s like she finally was making soooo much personal progress; sure her grades were what I hoped they would be, but she was beginning to thrive in so many other ways. As usual, I have lots of things to fret about in terms of her recovery.
- How much has this time stunted her emergence into young adulthood? Has it made her afraid to step out again?
- Will it further extend what I already thought would be a slightly delayed launch? Home has been even more a a “safe” headquarters for us; hell even I have anxiety going too far from home for too long. With home having an even stronger association with safety, how can I help her get back to stretching her safety bubble?
- The fact that she’s working actually gives me hope for her. I’m hopeful that she will be able to regain her lost confidence and figure out what she wants to do next. It’s really about my commitment and ability to support her and be patient with her.
- In other news, there are 19 days before I head to the beach. I’m looking forward to sleeping in a big bed, working on getting nice and bronzy and spending lots of time with Sister K’s family.
- I’m also looking forward to making a final decision about a bathroom renovation. I think I’ve saved “enough,” though I’m constantly running the numbers. I know that it will be fine, but it’s a huge thing to commit to. It’s just that every time I set up my bath ritual, I start thinking…this is good but it could be so much better IF….Stay tuned.
June 16, 2021
Ten Things on Wednesday: 6/16/2021
About AdoptiveBlackMom
AdoptiveBlackMom 
June 16th, 2021 at 9:40 pm
So looking forward to hearing about the types of bathroom renovations you are dreaming about these days.
Hope will continue to move towards independence, yes it was a very awful year for her; but what if she had not had you for the prior years and what if you had not been there for her this year. GRIM! You both are winning. It is never at the speed we would most like, but you both ARE moving forward and growing, learning, expanding. YOU BOTH ARE BEING IMPRESSIVE AND ROLE MODELS OF PROGRESS.
THANK YOU. you help.
June 19th, 2021 at 2:34 pm
My son starteduni this year awya form home just 18. He failed hard with on line learning. Chose to stay and withdraw Will try again in september but he does NOTHING. He still has some friends but is to shy to score a job. I am so worried. My daughter is home with a severe anxiety disorder so I ‘m double worried but it is scarier because he IS an adult and my influence is not what it was. This does add nothing but noting I feel this all so much!!!