Girlfriend's Guide to Good Mental Health

Today is the day of the club

The one I didn’t want to be in

I am a Survivor they tell me

Yet I don’t know where to begin

Facing a pain that is enormous

The one that just won’t go away

Suicide is not painless

To the ones who are left far away

 

Some day I hope to be a light

For others left behind

Until that day

All I can say

Is I still haven’t mended my mind

 

I see a red door

And I want it painted black

It will shatter in a thousand pieces

I’m afraid there’s just no turning back

The pieces are wind blown

All scattered about

I chase after them, pleading…

Someone help me out

Like my heart

The pieces are broken and torn

Blowing in the wind

To the sky they have flown

 

Has anyone seen

The shards of my heart?

Please bring them back to me

Perhaps I can start

To piece them together

With Love as the glue

Until that time

I will despise the wind that blew

Blew you away

Along with my heart

Yes I am a Survivor

Hey, that’s a start!

I am a Survivor

And it just doesn’t end

I am a lonely girl

Chasing the wind

 

Has anybody seen him?

If you see him, could you ask him to stay?

Tell him my heart is missing

And I need him to show me the way

 

 

 

Stigma sucks

I should know

Sometimes it follows me

Wherever I go

Some say it’s my own fault

Don’t ask and don’t tell…

Keep it in the closet

And all will be swell

The notion is caustic

To live life in shame

It gives me the message

I’m filthy and lame

But I will not hide

My light under a bush

I will not pretend

But I will not push

If you want to know I’ll tell you

I’ve nothing to hide

I am not crazy

And I still have my pride

So up goes my head

As I walk with a swagger

You can keep your stigma

‘Cause it just doesn’t matter

It don’t matter to me

It don’t inhabit my mind

So go stick the stigma

Where the sun don’t shine.

Yes, up goes my head

As I walk with a swagger

You’re stigma can’t hurt me

‘Cause it just doesn’t matter.

 

 

So excited to share my post for bpHope magazine. I have been an avid reader of their online magazine, and for years followed articles about Carrie Fisher. When she passed away, I decided to “go for it’ and apply to be a part of the bpHope.com writing community as a guest writer. I was inspired by her bravery and candor. If you are interested in reading, here is the link:

http://www.bphope.com/blog/a-leap-of-faith/

 

“I grew up in this kind of fishbowl existence and I figured, if people were going to say it about me, then I was going to say it first and I was going to say it better. It’s my way of trying to own a situation.” ~Carrie Fisher

 

 

 

All mothers are special. Incredibly special. Outstanding. They all have their own special talents and attributes and we should be so thankful for them. As for me, I am especially grateful that my mother is a Saint. She may not have been recognized by the Pope, (yet…), but she is forever recognized in my heart and mind.

Growing up in my mother’s household, our clothing and blankets were sewn by her hands. Our costumes for ballet, elaborate and dashing, were made by her hands as well. She decorates and cooks better than Martha Stewart, only she doesn’t have a staff to help her. Her house is always immaculate.

If there are three main lessons that I have learned from my mom, the first is that there is a God, He loves us all, and He does not discriminate. She taught us to respect and value all religions, and to never act like we had “all the answers”. The second is that all people should be treated with respect and dignity. She deliberately taught us not to subscribe to the stereotypes, labeling, and prejudices that the world tried so hard to ingrain in us. The last was that she taught us to believe in ourselves and follow our dreams, whatever they may be. And this is a good thing, because she had three daughters who were quite the dreamers. She encourages us in whatsoever we may aspire to be, no matter how big or small.

Growing up, she was our biggest cheerleader. Any activity we were involved in, from school to extracurricular activities, she volunteered to help with. She was very popular among my friends, and continues to be, for there is just no one like Donna.

No one.

My mother, she is a smart cookie. Brilliant really. This part might make her blush, but she has almost a photographic memory. She knows a lot about just about everything. She remembers every face and every name, and incredible details, no matter how long it has been. She owned a hardware store when we were growing up, and faced the inevitable sexism that she encountered with grace, courage, and gumption. Because, at the end of the day, she knew more, gave more, and cared more. And people respected that.

The greatest gift my mother has given to the world is her love and passion for people. She has never met a stranger. She would give the shirt off her back to anyone, in a heartbeat. She is generous with her money, time, and talents. She is an artist. She is talented and special.

Oh, how I love my mother….

So yes, my mother is a Saint. For she worked and sacrificed for our family with every ounce of energy that she had. I don’t know where she gets that energy, but it is abundant. Everyone who meets her just loves her. And why? Because her love and positive energy radiates wherever she goes.

I can never even hope to be half the mother as the one that I have. If I am just one percent of the fabulous mother/grandmother that she is, I will be a fine one.

So to Saint Donna, I say, I love you. I admire you. I honor you.

Happy Mother’s Day!