If things like death, marriage, moving, divorce, graduating, having a child, and becoming an empty nester rack up stress-o-meter points, then I shoudn't be complaining.

The past 8+ weeks, have indeed been some of the most stressful of my life and I thought my REALLY tough times had long passed.  I've endured spousal abuse, divorce, lost custody of a child, parental suicide, and a near death incident.  It seems like sending a special needs child off to university would pale in comparison.  Those following my journey know - au contraire.

I am pleased to announce that we are presently experiencing a plateau of peace.  My asbergers/bi-polar son is home again, and he is trying.  Working through some of his issues, he still remains somewhat depressed and maladjusted, but he is one step closer to normalcy.  He carries a ton of  anger toward the "friends" who wronged him by  locking him out and stealing his stuff.  Although stuck on this, he is dealing - one day at a time.

Office Max hired him, and he is bouncing between cashier, salesperson and copy-center assistant - working about 3 to 4 days a week, part-time.  He doesn't love the job, but is certainly holding his own.  I know it is giving him a sense of self worth that he wouldn't get flipping greasy burgers.  At the least, he has a reason to get up, shower and shave.

Having always been a top performer, it seems I've spent the last 4 years sticking to almost nothing professionally.  The needs of my family in addition to my own fragile mental health have kept me job-hopping.  Contract work seems to provide me the flexibility required for my own well-being and the needs of my family. 

I took the pharma job performing admireably for 6 weeks bringing the territory to a performance high, but the stress of home and hearth and the pressure-cooker corporate mentality got the better of me.  The fit just wasn't right.  I gave notice this week, and decided I'd rather create my own destiny and continue with more flexible means of earning a living.  Yes, I had to give up the company car, bonuses, etc.  But, not being around for my kids  (and a guaranteed straight shot to divorce) was just too high a cost.

My sister came out from California this weekend to visit.  She is an incredible woman.  As a corporate attorney in a high powered position, she juggles motherhood and marriage with grace.  Like us all she has her moments of self-doubt and inadequacy, but  it is definitely self-induced. 

She spent some time with our father while I was working, and then the weekend with me.  We had such a lovely relaxing time together.  Heaven bless her for knowing I needed a little support.  I'm a strong personality, and am used to over-coming adversity,  but my stress-o-meter was definitely max'd, and I am so grateful she came.  I feel more rested and at peace than I have for a long time.

As I sit here writing, my son just flew down the stairs all decked-out in his  khaki's, black button-down and Office Max name-tag - ready to save the world, one printer and copier at a time.

In the background I hear the strains of my daughter's arrangement of the Twilight theme.  For the moment there is peace.   For the moment.  In this life -- that moment just has to be enough, doesn't it.

We'll just have to see where the road takes us.  Thanks for joining us.

Blessings.