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Mom of a Teenage Girl

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I used to fear the teenage years with my daughter. I had no idea what to expect or what I was in for, especially since I was quite a handful as a teenager. I was concerned about drugs, boys, sneaking out, or even sneaking out to do drugs with boys. My worries were endless. While I still have my concerns, raising my teenage daughter has been a true blessing. I’ve watched her go from being  a wkward and unsure of herself to a young girl brimming with confidence and tenacity. She is so carefree and joyful and that joyfulness spills onto others, you can’t help but be happy when around her. My daughter isn’t afraid to speak her mind and I love this about her, you never wonder where you stand with her, she’ll come right out and tell you with no fear or shame. She works her tail off in school, her job, and choir — I know some adults who could learn a thing or two from her strong work ethic. What I love most about my daughter is that she loves with her whole heart and gives this love freel...
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No, thank you, I don't drink.

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  About two and a half years ago I was going to meet an old friend of mine, Caroline, for breakfast after not seeing her in over 30 years. Caroline had trained me at an animal hospital I was working as a veterinary assistant. We had a great time working together, she was an amazing trainer, and we developed a close bond working together so closely day after day. Eventually, we started doing things outside of work. We went to a couple of different zoos together and a very scary haunted house. Sometimes we’d drink together. I would always drink too much; I didn’t have a shut-off valve. I drank til I couldn’t stand. When at breakfast Caroline and I reminisced about all these things and I proudly yet a little shyly told her I don’t drink anymore. I told her I had quit, and I was happier without it. She said she doesn’t drink much maybe 1 beer a couple times a year. I said I wish I could have 1 beer a couple times a year, but once I get started, I can’t stop! Our conversation flowed smo...
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No shame in having a mental illness

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I’ve dealt with mental illness, specifically schizoaffective disorder, for the last 35 years but for the most part I only talk about it with my husband and daughter. I find it makes other people uncomfortable when I bring it up and I also feel judged unfairly once people know I have a mental illness. I definitely think mental illness needs to be  t alked about, but yesterday I was caught off guard with a question from my daughters orthodontist. He had asked what nationality I was and I told him I just recently found out as I was adopted and recently found my birth mother. He asked me why my mom gave me up for adoption. I hesitated for a minute then replied, “My mom had a mental illness, schizophrenia, and she couldn’t take care of me, she passed mental illness on to me as well.” Saying that made me feel so embarrassed and ashamed and I hate that I had those feelings, I shouldn’t have those feelings. Intellectually I know I had no control on whether or not I got schizoaffective diso...
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