Peter

As a teen and young adult, Peter was obstinate about my taking his picture.  He didn't want to be in family photos, and if I tried to sneak a picture of him, he would try to bomb the picture by displaying his middle finger.  I actually have a collection of selfies of the two of us where his middle finger is prominent.  It actually became a joke between us.  Now Peter's elevated view of himself has him sending me pictures of himself frequently.  He is also a lot more cooperative about posing with Mom and me.  This Christmas, he even orchestrated some selfies of the two of us (without the bird flying). I will share a few Peter pictures and an update on him.

Peter called me on Tuesday to say he had been fired from his Lowe's job.  He said the reasoning was a no-show incident, and there had been some issues with not getting along with others.  He has owned it and said it has just pushed up his plan to go to truck driving school.  The positives of this development include his attitude.  He has admitted his own fault and says he will learn from it.  In addition, he has managed his money and has enough money saved up to continue life as is for 2 to 3 months.  He has subsidised housing, so loss of a place to live is not a major concern at this point.  Peter has an interview on Wednesday with a truck driving company that provides training.  He has been using his time to study for the CDL learning permit that he would need if he goes to truck driving school.  His thinking about money and plans often sounds very reasonable. I am so proud of Peter for the way he has handled a lot of things over the last year.  Another positive to the job loss is that his unemployed status will likely be a benefit as I apply for Medicaid for him this week.

There is a flip side that makes me nervous. Peter's actual diagnoses have changed over time.  I tend to believe Peter probably suffers from Bipolar I, which has a predominant manic component.  The medicine dose Peter has agreed to take has kept him from becoming extreme in the areas of mania and depression.  However, he does have a grandiose, elevated view of himself, a tendency to change course fairly quickly, and to obsess a bit over plans or ideas.  The grandiose beliefs are likely what created issues at work and make keeping a job challenging. Although Peter was positive in our discussion on Wednesday and even yesterday, this morning's call had the sound of depression.  All of this is normal for anyone in this situation, but because of Peter's past experience and diagnosis, my mind has a tendency to worry and wonder about what's next.  Peter expressed gratitude for the Avita housing and program, but he wants to be independent.  Again, reasonable thought.  Peter doesn't believe he has a mental illness, but that insomnia is the problem.  His medication helps him sleep, and that is why he willingly takes it. As for Truck driving. . . .  while it freaks me out, I know Peter has to figure this out.  I have seen him change course when he decides it's not what he wants to do.  And who knows, maybe it could work.

So there is a glimpse of what's going on.  I could say more, but hopefully this will give you an idea of how to pray.  There are a lot of good things going on with Peter.  Relationally, we are at our best, and he has certainly matured.  Yet we live on a roller coaster, and I am a bit nervous we are about to go loop de loop!. And it always encourages me to know we have friends praying on our behalf. Thank you!