Blatherado

Note: If you are in a relationship with an addict, seeking expert help is essential. While addiction follows common patterns, every relationship is unique. Below are recommended books and articles on addiction and mental health. This is a true story... I’ll refer to her as “Lucy.” Lucy was magnetic—a creative spirit whose passion for design, arts and crafts gave her a unique charm. Appearances mattered to her, whether in her professional world of style and design or the house we rented together. The little space, nestled between two parks, had a certain "bungalow flow" that I found cozy, even if she jokingly called it "ghetto" from time to time. Together, we made countless improvements. The home became cleaner, brighter, and better by the day. Her dog was even happier, always finding his spot lovingly nestled between us. It all seemed like a metaphor for what I believed was happening in our relationship: an ongoing transformation, turning rough edges into something ...

This is not a coffee mug. I’m guessing neither are some of yours. Following September 11, 2001 it’s fair to say I was repressing feelings about the loss of a friend in the attacks. At some point months later, I was seated at the desk of my home-office speaking with my wife at the time when I began to sob. I just erupted. I cannot recall the exact trigger but it did not make sense in that moment. In my case, I had both a toddler and a newborn, two baby girls. What would my decisions, my values mean for them in the future? What actions would I take? One knee-jerk response was to send my resume to many acronym agencies in the DC area, an attempt to serve my country and leverage my college degree. This would be a huge career pivot. I had a profound desire to respond…to lash out, to act, to contribute. I despise helplessness and I was stewing in it. So I helped older neighbors, I re-designed and landscaped a backyard to create an idyllic little haven for my daughters and a place to gather...