FOLLOW UP FROM THE IN-LAWS

I can honestly say their weeklong stay in our home felt too short. I am so grateful for all the roads I’ve traveled to make me the woman I am today. I’ve been chastised for saying that in the past. I defended my position then and always will.

DOING ME WHILE HONORING THEM

My morning routine is pretty set. Luckily, not many people get up as early as I do so it was easy to get my workout, prayer, and meditation, reading, and writing before my mother-in-law would enter the kitchen. My office is off the kitchen, so I was able to step away from whatever I was working on and greet her. I got the coffee started and we’d chat for an hour or so before the menfolk got up. These coffee talks were quite special.

During the day, I was theirs. I cleared my schedule and didn’t distract myself with anything else.

Around 7 pm I would tell them goodnight and go off to my room to study, daydream, and journal. I took care of my needs.

DON’T LET PEOPLE TALK YOU OUT OF YOUR BRILLIANCE

What could be better than having grown people wearing Christmas pajamas for pictures to create lasting holiday memories? Not much in my opinion. But my husband said his dad would never go for it, and so did my mother-in-law. However, when I asked dad, he said, sure why not with a playful grin. Here we are in all our Christmas glory.

TURKEY DAY EASY PEASY

This article is really part two to last week’s post,  Feeling Frazzled and Alternatives to Misusing Alcohol. I shared how I talked myself down and offered some suggestions on how to avoid the stress and invite calm into any situation. There’s not much more than ranks as high on the possible stress-o-meter than in-laws coming to stay in your home for a full week. Especially, when your mother-in-law is THE cook and caretaker for everybody back home in Alabama. Did I mention they are both retired from the military? Yes, until I took my own advice, I was a little on edge.

Their visit was over Thanksgiving, and I love to cook for my family and friends. It’s how I show my love.

This brings back a memory about having my aunt Ruthie over for the holidays in my last drunken year. I remodeled the guest bathroom just to accommodate her wheelchair. I can barely remember her even being there I was so drunk. She passed just a couple of years later. Unfortunately, I wasn’t recovered enough financially to have a do-over.

Thank goodness, I have tools and practices to help me remember what matters most, connection.

I LOVE THEM SO MUCH

When I shifted my attention from trying to anticipate what they may judge me on to how I wanted to experience them, it became easy. I just be’d me. I’m a lovable gal who adores their son and loves them. So, that kind of made every lie, justification, and fear dissolve into vapors. Gone were the expectations, shoulds, supposed tos, and oughtas that were nothing more than distractions.

CAN YOU RELATE?

I share this to offer you insight to my crazy head and know if you think like me, you’re not alone. And if you relied on alcohol to get you through, I get it. But if you’d like to build your own tool chest and develop practices that can help you move graciously through challenging times, I can help you.

REACH OUT

I’m always here for you. Just click here to either schedule a free consult or shoot me an email.

Much love,