My Mother and Me

Somehow you squeezed out parts of a childhood while being a guardian and a witness to the effects of this illness, an unwillling participant in the unknown of each hour, the happiness and the sadness, and somehow kept the love going. She is fortunate to have you, as are those who read you in your other work here.

I wish you well, I wish her well too.

A powerful piece.  It really shows schizophrenia from a new point of view.  And yes, too often the system fails.

How sweet your comments are about your relationship with your mother -- not the homelessness or the anger or warnings not to talk to others -- but your love and concern for her.  Your concern shows in the fact you learned to read her moods and predict them.  Your concern in trying, even as a child, to understand your mother's needs and her illness.  Your frustration over doctors that could not or did not help her.  Your love as a child and as an adult that you share with us and make our lives better in the process.

Carolyn

This piece is both intimate and expansive.  I am touched by how you were able to hold onto love.  Thank you for sharing

I hear 'strength' in your writing here.  Strength gained from the hardships you endured and grew from as a child.  No child should have to go through the things that you went through, yet you still feel love for your mom.

I Look forward to reading more.

Abby (Lemon~aid Stand)

Hi Merely Me,

You are welcome here, your words are welcome.

The love you have for your mother shines through.

You will find, I'm sure, that writing SharePosts here will be of tremendous benefit not only to others but for yourself that you can heal.

I may be biased because I'm an expert at the Connection here, but I believe this is the best web site for keeping a blog.  You will find kindred spirits who encourage you to make peace and live your life.  We will respect your feelings.  We will honor your mother, too.

Best regards,

Christina

Great beginning post.  I know much more will come.  Were you an "only child?" 

That was a great piece of writing and was both informative and touching.

Hello Merelyme,

In my life I have come to recognize that in the presence of emotional beauty such as what you have written here, we all grow more painfully radiant.  Thank you for stopping by the Writer and the White Cat to point me here.  Your kindness won't be forgotten.  I have thoughts about what you've written, be first among them is to thank you.  If you need to reach out to a friend, you know where to find me.

To some Schizophrenia is just the name of a disease, of a mental illness.  Once you are told you have this disease you are now categorized.  In a way categorizing someone with a disease is dehumanizing.  You are no longer a feeling and hurting human being, ..... you are the disease you have .......... you are Schizophrenia.

But people are so much more than just their disease.  Your words have made Schizophrenia more than a categorization or a classification.  You have humanized something that science has dehumanized.  You have brought to life the pain, the consequences and the impact of having to live with this disease both for the person and for the people they love.

Schizophrenia is so much more than a classification.  It is a way of life to a person afflicted with it as well as a way of life to the people who love and depend upon someone afflicted with it. 

You have brought a cold and sterile classification alive and made everyone feel that people with Schizophrenia are important and matter.

I look forward to hearing more of your story.

Beautifully written.  I look forward to reading more of your story.  Thank you so much for sharing.

Thanks, Merely Me, for sharing this touching account. It sure helps to understand what it is like to live with a loved one who suffer thus. May this article help many others. Thanks for sharing with us. Take care.

Regards,

Nancie

I hope today that help is more readily available, as well as the ability to recognize a situation where people are in need.  It must have been so hard for a small child to deal with all of this, as I am sure it was hard for your Mom to deal with it all as well.  Thank you for sharing this.  I hope you share more as time goes on.