One of my 10 year old campers at
Camp David of the Ozarks, a Christian camp where I’ve served as a Camp Granny
for the past eight summers, told me as I settled down to read a story to him
and his cabin mates earlier this summer: “The best stories always start with Once upon a time….” Indeed, and of course, they end with…and they all lived happily ever after. Now for the true-to-life version, where the
dragon was killed, even if inadvertently, by the hero (or heroine) of the
story, what does Happily-Ever-After really look like?
Well, I
can tell you for the past few weeks, the Depression-free Life continues, even
though it is certainly uncharted territory for me. I have thoroughly terrified my husband and
even my daughters, at times, I’m sure. I find myself so incredibly energized
that I’m barely able to lay down at 11 pm and I’m wide awake by 5:30 or 6 in
the morning. Of course, anyone who knows me finds that pretty unbelievable
since I’ve never been a morning person and when left to my own devices, often sleep
until 9 or 10 am! But then Depression breeds exhaustion and both sleep
deprivation and sleep addiction, depending on the moment and the season. One of
the easiest ‘signs’ for the loved one to pick up on, when questioning whether
someone is depressed is, have their sleep habits changed? Do they sleep more
than usual or are they up knocking around at 3 am? Well, in my case, I sleep a
lot less and am always busy, which isn’t all bad, since I am currently
president of two different local organizations, trying to complete a seventh
novel while the first six are selling well, and have just had them
well-publicized in a state-wide publication. And then there is the business of
keeping up with four adult children and their families, which includes seven
grandsons!
As for uncharted
territory, it also means that my energy level rivals that of my personality of
30 years ago. I recognize that and yet am often powerless to control it other
than to see it for what it is. It leaves my husband, shaking his head at times,
muttering “you have changed so much recently…” and all I can say is, “I know.
Hang in there with me! I can feel it but I really do think it is getting
better.”
I have
apologized to all my friends, in advance, so to speak, warning them, as we prepare for our annual Garage Sale
fundraiser for the New Life House, one of the organizations I chair at the
moment (Christian transitional housing for women coming out of the jail or
prison) or the Grand Opening of the local Democratic Headquarters with the arrival
of Chris Koster, current Mo. Attorney General and Democratic candidate for
Missouri Governor (and yes, I’m also the current chair of the Laclede County
Democrats). “I know I seem more jazzed than usual, so if I bark out orders or
say something you find offensive (as in who-died-and-made-you-the-new-queen?),
please don’t hesitate to take hold of me and say…Laura, you need to calm down!
You are like a runaway train and you are making us crazy!
I’ve
seen that look on some of my friends’ faces a time or two that says all that
without a word being spoken so I know my new personality can be a bit
overwhelming at times. Yes, Happy-Ever-After at this point, involves
re-evaluation and contemplation, as to where do we go from here? But even with
all that, it is so much better than the depression and the constant fight
against The Devil himself (Who else do you think controls the Depression
Dragon?)
So
Happily-Ever-After continues as a wild and wonderful roller coaster ride and
although some of the turns can be scary, it starts every day with an insatiable
desire to first read my Bible (and you
know that’s a great way to ignite your day!) and then have a healthy breakfast.
I’m still on the diet about 80%, doing just as advised in the book, SLOWLY
adding foods back in and then observing their effects. (Do you have a headache
a little later? Does your belly ache or worse? Do you feel lethargic or upset,
nervous, etc?) Of course, the first thing I reclaimed was MY COFFEE, but not
with any chemical or artificial sweeteners. I am using ONLY honey or 100% maple
sugar in my coffee or occasionally in my tea. (You may not know many women who
carry a small jar of honey in their purse, but now you know of at least one.
And that is a jar with a very secure lid!) I also returned to chocolate in
moderation, of course, but GOOD quality chocolate, which included a trip to
Rosewood Farms outside of Hartville. If you’ve never been there or stopped,
check it out on the ‘net or STOP in. It is Chocolate Nirvana, made on site by
one large family. I’ve been blessed to do two different stories on them for
southwest Missouri publications and am one of the few to see their production
kitchen and exactly how they make their incredibly delicious products.
I
also had a huge Mexican lunch with a friend one day at downtown Lebanon’s one
and only, Juanita’s—rice, beans, tortillas. It was delicious but an hour and a
half later, driving to Buffalo, it was a real struggle to stay awake. (Okay, note
to self, eat such a meal when you know you are going home for a siesta
afterward.) Lots of lessons to be learned but the most important is….God is
good all the time and all the time God is good. I do wonder why I had to wait
so long to make this discovery but then I remember, God didn’t have Moses
leading those rowdy Israelites out of Egypt until he was 80 years old. God has
his own timetable and it has absolutely nothing to do with our
add-water-and-stir-and-slap-it-in-the-microwave-for-30-seconds society. He
operates on his own schedule and while often we don’t understand, if we go with
it, instead of our pre-conceived notions, I’m here to tell you, the results are
incredible!Laura L. Valenti, author
The Heart of the Spring,
The Heart of the Spring Lives On,
The Heart of the Spring Comes Home, and
The Heart of the Spring Everlasting
Between the Star and the Cross: The Choice and
Between the Star and the Cross: The Election
Ozark Meth: A Journey of Destruction and Deliverance with co-author Dick Dixon
We know that Jesus had 33 years Between the Star at his birth and the Cross at his death. We each have a time between our star and our cross. We just don't know how long that might be. The real question is 'what will you do with yours?' Blessings, LV
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