Hope and Bindis

looking upwards to the light at Zeitgeist

Here I am, giving nostril with the lovely Minnie's charming hubs, Vim.  We were celebrating  his birthday at the deeply hip San Francisco bar, Zeitgiest.

You'll also observe I was giving bindi on my forehead.  This was a bit of a joke; I showed up with packets of bindis from an Indian store to contribute as party favors. 

But, the symbolism was not lost on me as these days I must open my "third eye".   My sensory faculties have to be up and running, all chakras buzzing, my awareness at its peak.  A storm has been wrecking havoc in my family's life.   And, as much as I 've been want to go back to bed and curl up in the fetal position,  I have to get my butt up, my bindi on and deal.

The storm is the dark stuff that's been swirling around my daughter for several months.  It's about the state of my kiddo's fragile body, mind and soul.  It's about depression, and last week she asked me for help.

While I realized that Molly's strength and energy stores would be severely compromised after her bout with mononucleosis,  I was not prepared for the impact on Molly's emotional well being.  My girl lost her momentum and enthusiasm.  Give me an ear infection, a stomach flu with projectile vomiting, even strep throat - I can deal with all that with antibiotics and lots of fluids. But, dealing with depression is never managed with a linear treatment scheme. 

After consulting several physicians, asking for guidance from trusted friends and family members, and a lot of all-night research on PubMed, we developed and initiated a multi-level healing plan for Molly. We'll be covering all the bases -  medication, talk therapy, healthy eating, rest, light exercise, and gentle love .  I'll be watching over my kid closely, being careful not to hover too obnoxiously close.

(Regarding staying close - I cancelled my trip to New Orleans this week with the kind blessings from my brilliant friends,  Chris and Kristie, co-founders of BrainJams.  I will be turning over the wonderful donations some of you have contributed for the trip to carefully considered relief efforts on the Gulf Coast.  Dear Donating Readers, I'll let you know personally where I'll be forwardng your gifts.  Namaste to you, my generous friends.)

Even after just a few days, the plan  is beginning to work - we've been hearing little but meaningful notes of hope from Molly.  These notes are the loveliest, most wonderful music to our ears.

Dear Readers, thank you for your encouragement and your own notes of hope.  It means more to me than I can ever tell you, more than I can ever write on this humble blog.  If I can be of service to any of you, let me know.  I would be honored to help you as you have helped me.

Yours in bindis,
GraceD

Comments

[Mir]

Gentle love and lots of hugs to YOU, as well, my friend. You are doing something that comes naturally to you but, sadly, not so much for MANY parents. I'm so glad Molly has you (and wish a little bit that you'd been MY mom when I was a depressed teen).

[Karen]

Good thoughts for Molly flowing from Kona. She's a special child with a very special mom.

[Jenny]

I second Mir. You're such a great mom to hear her and for her even to be able to come to you. I wasn't ever diagnosed until when I was in my (late)20s. I wish I could have gone to my mom.
Molly and you are in my thoughts.

[Janet]

I'm glad to hear Molly's feeling better, poor kid has really been thru alot lately!

[Margaret]

You have a great plan, and I'm so glad that you already see progress. What a very scary thing! I too would much prefer a physical issue over a mental or emotional one.

[savtadotty]

It sounds like you and George are Model Parents. Lucky Molly.

[ozma]

Molly seems like such an amazing kid. I'm sorry she's had all this going on for her lately and I hope she comes through it soon. Take care of yourself.

[landismom]

I'm sorry to hear about Molly's depression, though it's only natural, with all she's been through lately. You are a great mom, and I wish you both lots of luck and love.

[cmhl]

I hope Molly feels better soon.. I had mono the summer after my freshman year of college, and it was absolutely a heart-wrenching experience. really hard. she is lucky to have you to help her through it, my parents didn't "get" why I didn't just snap out of it, and as a result, I didn't get it either..

lots of sunshine. seriously.

[elswhere]

I'm so glad you're able to do this for/with Molly and that she felt able to talk with you about it. You guys are both/all really impressive.

[Heidi]

You're a wonderful, wonderful mom, Grace. You bring tears to my eyes.

[mamadaisy]

I hope Molly is feeling better soon. She sure has been through a lot lately. How fortunate that she is able to talk to her mom about it.

[chantel]

Just the thought of thinking that my sweet girl might have to someday deal with something like what your's is going through is terrifying. Good luck I'm sure you and your sweet girl will recover with time and good care.

[Pamalamadingdong]

I hope Molly is well soon. She is very lucky to have a Mom like you. :)

[Belinda]

Just the biggest, warmest hugs, and all our prayers.

[Lisa Stone]

Right on, Grace. What a wonderful mother's day present to have your darling open up to you like this. That's a rare relationship indeed.

While you're taking care of Molly, let me/us know if there's anything we can do to take care of you all.

[Kirsten]

Isn't it wonderful that she comes to you in need, and that you are there for her to help. I hope when my littles become teens I can be as warm, funny, thoughtful, involved, loving and kind as you are. What a gift you are giving her, as you take care of her. I hope you can find time to take care of you, too! Best healing wishes to all of you.

[amy]

I hope that I can become such an aware, thoughtful and giving mother as you are. You daughter is as lucky to have you as you are to have her. Sending peace your way.

[Jenn]

I too have a beautiful daughter coping with this silent and insidious illness. Unfortunately, we didn't see the signs until she had already started cutting herself in an attempt to release the pain on her own.

It's been two years now - one year in treatment (therapy and medication), seven months of remission (no therapy and no meds) and now three months back into both therapy and meds. The blessing is that she felt it coming on this time and talked about it with us before she got to the very dark place she started from.

Your daughter has your help, your support, your love and most importantly - your belief in her. She will find the strength. I will add her to the prayers I say every day for my own daughter. The smiles will come back and she will be even more "herself" soon!

[chris]

(((Hugs))) to both of you.

What an awesome mom you are. And I mean that with the deepest sincerity. I hope I have the type of relationship with my daughter that you do with Molly.

You are an inspiration.

And the fact that she is beginning to feel a bit better is awesome. Sending all my positive thoughts your way.

[bonnie]

What a comfort and refuge Molly has in you, Grace! Prayers going up from my neck of the woods for your dear daughter!

[Margie]

I am hosting a contest on my Blogger site for "Mom's Who Blog" in honor of Mother's Day and I found your Blog to be very well written and creatively inspired.

Winners of the Contest will be announced and recognized until Mother's Day; May 14, 2006.

Winners who wish to do so - will be given a " Mix
Pix Award Button" to display on their site or sidebar. This will help to direct traffic and readership to their wonderfully created
blogs.

If you wish to be included in my list of nominations please email me at Margiemix@comcast.net Tell me a little about yourself, why you choose to blog, what's your biggest challenge in being a Mom and how do you keep your own identity while being a Mother at the same time. Stuff like that. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for making the Blogger world a wonderful experience!

Sincerely,
Margie Mix

[Sheryl]

Medication, talk therapy, healthy eating, rest, light exercise, and gentle love all sound like an A-#1 prescription. I'm glad it seems to be working.

[chasmyn]

She is fortunate to have you as a mother, seriously. remembering back to my own experience at 14, wishing for the kind of support you are giving her, I know she is well taken care of. You rock. (((HUGS))) to both of you, it's a tough time.

(Just getting caught up, I don't get to read blogs often anymore.)

[Kristin]

I am a new reader to your blog and I am so glad to have linked here (via Mommy Needs Coffee)... my children are still little, but I hope that I am as in touch with them as they reach the teen years of swirling hormones and radical changes to have them comfortably reach out to me and for me to hear them.