Sweet

One of the things Peter and I have enjoyed over the years is attending a Braves Baseball Game.  Stashed away somewhere is a sweet picture of him walking into Turner Field with my Dad to his first game at about age 5. Although Peter is not an avid baseball fan and I am mostly interested in people-watching and snacks, I find attending a game is nostalgic and fun.  While growing up in El Paso, my parents often took us to Diablo Baseball games, a Los Angeles Angels farm team.   I was sad that Peter and I did not attend a Braves game last year. So after several requests on his part this past month, we resumed our tradition last night. Peter bought the tickets and I bought Parking and food.  I am not sure who spent more!  Peter Was at the concessions during the best part of the game, they confiscated my clear backpack and Peter couldn't find the pickle relish and mustard for my hotdog.    However, Peter got us great seats, I had lots of fun sitting next to a 4-year-old and her dad, and our Braves team won.  I even got emotional as the whole crowd sang "Take me out to the ball game" while I joyfully sang along. But the highlight of the experience was being back in the park with Peter.  My "Peter" is currently back and it is sweet.

Peter currently seems to be doing well.  He is not overly needy and I tend to see or talk with him only a few times a week.  He is working part-time at Lowes and seems to like it. He manages the thirty-minute walk although his conversation often concerns his next car and how he can't wait.  But then again that has always been a common conversation with Peter whether he has a car or not. I checked in with one of my AVITA contacts yesterday who said he seems to be doing well. He is still in the temporary housing but AVITA is working on moving him into more permanent housing in the same apartments.  I have been impressed with how he seems to be working with the Avita team in communication and cooperation.  He is the one who told me yesterday that he is going to need more medication in a week.  What a relief that he is willingly taking his medication and keeping up with it.  I am grateful that he is on a low dosage at this point.  Medication is tricky and  I know this may change.  Last week I helped him attend court in Athens virtually.  I was impressed with the judge as well as the public defender in the kind and encouraging way they interacted with Peter and the others facing court.  Peter's case in Athens has been closed and expunged from his records.  Thank you, Jesus!

Thank you for your many prayers for Peter over the past year.  We can celebrate the answers of many of them.  Of course, it's hard to get away from the anticipation of how with mental illness, things can change rather quickly.  But I am working on enjoying "today" and living in gratitude for all God has done. Of course, your continued prayers for him are always appreciated.

This has been a busy spring and I have several anticipated trips in the coming months. Plus it is almost Summer Season at school when my job is super busy yet super fun.  My desire is not to drop off the blog edge because we are not in crisis.  I know you don't need my blog but it is always a great place for processing and documenting life.  Many of you tell me you enjoy it and although it baffles me a bit, I am flattered and encouraged to keep sharing.  

A couple of weeks ago my cousin and husband Kathleen and Dan were visiting the area from Colorado.  We had a fun time catching up with them on a Sunday afternoon.  Kathleen is my cousin who is closest in age and was my playmate growing up when we visited in Kansas.  It has been really sweet to reconnect with her these past few years

Last weekend I gathered with the people who raised me in my post-college years at Camp Willow Run.  Present were members of four different families who were so influential during that time of my life.  I also saw summer staffers that I worked with 30 years ago.  It was a great time of reconnecting as well as simply enjoying being on the hallowed ground of CWR.  I was able to hitch a ride with the Earle family which always makes the long trek so much easier and definitely way more fun.

It is time to catch up on the many things that have been set aside for all this recent fun.  As always, thank you for sharing in my journey and your many prayers along the way.