Saturday, November 22, 2008

Looking Back...

A few posts of mine from earlier in the year that are catching at me today, and in some ways bringing me hope...

Lessons in the Midst of Darkness

Reasons to Keep Going

Suicide...

I received an email today reminding me that it is "National Survivors of Suicide Day" in the US. Now, before you start laughing at that ridiculous title, they're referring to those who have survived the loss of a loved one to suicide.

Various suicide related headlines have been catching my attention the last few days. I linked yesterday to a headline about a Florida teen who killed himself while broadcasting live on the internet, and just a few minutes ago I came across a similar headline from Argentina.

You can find the Argentinian story here: Argentine Man Kills Himself on TV

and you can find a few links with more information about National Survivors of Suicide Day here:
Community Connects Suicide-Minded, Survivors

10th Annual National Survivors of Suicide Day

Saturday Morning Frustrations

I woke from a dream again this morning. This one was more of a working out of ongoing frustrations with my current living situation, and was thankfully in some ways less intense than many of the crazy spiritual dreams I've been having on such a regular basis lately.

However, it was still very real, and left me frustrated and angry and working to separate actual reality from that which I'd dreamt.

So, I decided to take out the frustrations in the most positive way I could think of, and I've spent the morning cooking and cleaning. Our kitchen floor (which had been, to use one of my roommate's words, very "grubby") is now immaculate. The kitchen counters have been scrubbed and tidied. The clean dishes have been put away, and the dirty dishes are in the dishwasher, which is now running. I baked scones (or maybe they're biscuits - my terminology for baking has become hopelessly confused after months of living with two New Zealanders who have a different word for every sort of baking.) The living room has been tidied, and so has my bedroom. The bathroom has been cleaned, and I've done a load of laundry.

This afternoon I'm going to visit my parents for a bit, get gas for George, and probably settle in for a while with a Bible, book and journal and just read. I'm attending a church service tonight, and then possibly going out afterwards for a bit to spend some time with my youngest brother. The plan for tomorrow is rest, and maybe a few errands.

But, all that cleaning has at least resulted in a somewhat improved mood from that which I woke in, and the ability to laugh a bit at life again. Plus, my house looks greatly improved.

Headlines - morning edition

Zimbabwe Refuses Annan Group Visa

Powerful Earthquake off Sumatra