A New Attitude, A New Neighbor, A New Job
I have wanted to post many times, but just couldn’t get the brain power to do it. I couldn’t even get the brain power to read other people’s blogs. I finally gave myself a surprise diagnosis. I have been battling depression since Spring. As I have never really known depression, I guess I had a hard time identifying it. Several years ago my daughter who was battling depression for a time told me, after I tried to say something encouraging, “What do you know? You are one of the most disgustingly happy people I know.” At the time I had a good laugh over that one. It is not natural for me to be sad, grumpy, out-of-sorts, so I guess that is why it took a while to identify. Also, I do not rave on about my problems nor go on and on about poor me. I can genuinely listen with empathy to other’s problems, but I usually personally opt out of the personal pity-pot parade. Once I did identify depression, I started an attack plan of eating better, faithfully exercising, increasing vitamin Bs, and increasing magnesium. I think the exercise helps most of all. I feel like a different woman when I come home from the rec center. I also started a new hobby of crocheting around fleece I make into a blanket. It is mindless repetition and relaxes me. Maybe that is why most of the old ladies I ever knew took up crochet in their old age. I thought they were bored, so who knew it was therapy! So here's to my new attitude or a renewal of my usual attitude. I know life is what we make it, happiness is found when we look for it, and joy is always found in the moment if we allow ourselves to feel it. I love the saying: I AM TOO ANNOINTED TO BE DISAPPOINTED AND TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED—Billy Chrystal’s wife has this hanging over her kitchen sink.
My new neighbor is going to be the Curtis and Katy Lee family, our daughter’s family. They are buying a lot from us and Brandon is building the house. It is going to be a wonderful spacious home. They will be between our house and Cori’s house on the other block. Ivy and I were walking to Cori’s past their new house and she said, “My room is so cute. Do you want to see it?” Her room did not even have the sheetrock done yet. Her little mind already had it perfectly decorated, I found out, as she told me about the rugs, bed, and pictures on her walls.
My new part-time job is Victim Advocate for Washington City Police Department. I was formerly my daughter Cori’s volunteer when she had the position. She did a remarkable job and now serves as my volunteer. It is one of the best jobs I have ever had….lowest pay…..but best job. It entails working with victims of crime who lack resources or knowledge of the criminal justice system. Mostly, I help women of domestic violence place protective orders, stalking injunctions, or act as an liaison in court proceedings involving the perpetrator. I can link victims to safe houses, legal protection, or even therapy particularly if children are involved. I have a Bachelor Degree in Criminology/Law Enforcement from BYU and years ago I started out in part-time Juvenile Delinquency work. Now I have gone full circle and am comfortably back in the criminal system again. So here I am at the age of sixty-four starting a new job. It seems like God is not through with me yet as far as my contribution in the temporal scheme of things. I will keep on keeping on, but the fact is I would rather wear out than rust out anyway.
