i have the most wonderful parents in the world!
 

well ok they have their faults but....

guess what! :)

they have "observed" the fact that i have been more active lately... up and about more, what with the lots of cooking, also going out a little more, overall doing stuff in the house, or trying to...

they decided to gift me an annual city-wide bus pass for christmas!!! except, since the ticket price has just gone up, they are going to anticipate it - will do it as soon as we run out of the tickets we already have. as an incentive to go out more, and also just so i won't feel "guilty" if i just want to go somewhere and then it costs money for transportation!!! (which was a big consideration for me).

(when i was working, i had this type of pass, because it is the most cost-efficient way to commute using public trans. i paid for it myself then, of course. i stopped renewing it in 2003, after my last stable job.... :() i didn't move about enough to justify the cost.

so, thinking it was related to the job opportunity in november i asked if they didn't want to hold off and make sure that job panned out first. they said no, it isn't about the job, it's just that before they didn't think i'd use it - between physical problems, depression and anxiety, i tended to hole up - cost irrelevant). they said now they are seeing a distinct change and want to provide further incentive! :)

this is *THE BEST* Christmas present they could give me!!!!!! :):):) and i told them that, too.

~ waves ~

Waves, that is great news. :) Especially when family can be kinda kooky at times with the unknown territory from every family to their own. That is awesome! Keep smiling!!

Hugs

Coffeegirl

wow!!!!
that is so wonderful of your parents!
I am very happy for you.
thanks for sharing your great present!
so nice to have something happy to share isn't it!
What an amazing gift!:)
bizi

That's fantastic Waves! Good news for a change!
:):):):):):):):):):)

Totally Awesome, Waves

See someone besides us sees the potential in what you do.

I think its so totally awesome.

Donna

This is good
 

Dear Waves,
You parents want you to be happy.

M.

Thanks so much everyone, i was so totally amazed... i was beside myself... my dad can be so negative about my illnesses... once told me flat out i would "end up in a bad way" once he and mom die... :o:eek: well the pass was his idea... just had to share!

thank you for being happy with me... i think it gave me a mood lift, at least temporary.

today the other shoe is dropping (in my head) ... am feeling sort of pressured, like what if i can't keep up the activity what if what if... i will disappoint them (again) i am just trying to remind myself they aren't doing it to add pressure but to remove pressure. so just, one day at a time and it isn't like i suddenly HAVE to go out every day... dang i am so good at finding WAYS to put pressure on myself! sheesh!!! :rolleyes:

anyway thank you so much for sharing my good moments with me.

to end on a positive note, yesterday i tried making a phone call to an activist group for Epilepsy that asks for volunteers - including hot lines and social support systems... now that i don't need to worry about it costing lots of money i will look into that, they do training. i am a bit worried about biting off more than i can chew with the job in progress, so for now, i will tell them i want to gather information. also these people train volunteers, so there are probably timelines that wouldn't be immediate.... this is something i've wanted to do for a long time but i kept finding organizations wanting money or specialized personnel... or car.

~ waves ~

i literally cringed when i read what your father said to you....many hugs coming your way
the volunteering with epilepsy sounds fantastic
love
bobby

Oh wow, what a great thing to think about volunteering with.

I am really impressed.

Donna

why epilepsy / why not affective disorders
 

when i started posting at bipolar in 2003... on the old board... we had some cross-posters with the E forum. and i started lurking there too. and reading and learning... about types of seizures about the day to day issues, general issues like stigma and misdiagnosis. i now post occasionally, too. anyway. came to see what a a huge deficit of understanding in our society, towards epilepsy. and have seen it where i live now, too, big time!

anyway, i met a lot of good people (with epilepsy) through the forums. some i had extensive interaction with too. as a result it became rather closer to my heart than perhaps any other general cause.

why not bipolar or depression?

well i've thought about that too. not ruled out or anything. another one of my closet ideas is to train as a licensed counselor. but as far as volunteering... i think that depression is getting more "press" nowadays. still don't see anything about epilepsy. people still talk about putting pencils in mouths! :eek: so i think there is a greater need.

also some of the issues in dealing with Epilepsy overlap with ours (e.g. stigma, support, some meds), and this could increase my sensitivity in a positive way. other issues however do not apply to me, and i think this could keep things more balanced and make me a more effective helper - less chance of getting wrapped up in my own head instead of connecting with the other person.

~ waves ~