Comfortable Rhythm
I've learned that depression can manifest in two dimensions: situational and mental. I never knew which one I would be dealing with at any given time. Fortunately, this was a period of calm after the storm of depression.
I continued to see psychologist Dr. Wilson regularly. He asked challenging questions and suggested constructive ways to face them. Gradually, I began to feel better as some of the stress subsided. Our painting project, which involved repainting all the rooms in the house, was finally completed. I felt even better when the carpeting was laid upstairs. Everything looked clean and new, except for the kitchen, which we planned to remodel in another two years.
Dave and I moved my salon office equipment to our den. When I worked from home, I often lost track of time. I eventually set a goal to stop working at four o'clock to give myself time to walk to the bank and make deposits for the salon's business. This also allowed me time to help Serena with dinner.
We moved the washer and dryer upstairs from the back enclosed porch. I set a timer to estimate when a laundry cycle would finish. With sixteen steps between the floors, going up and down became a natural form of exercise. Additionally, I went to the gym five mornings a week. Exercise releases endorphins, which always helped balance my moods.
Serena and I shared household chores, taking turns with cooking, cleaning, laundry, and grocery shopping. She qualified for the W.I.C. (Women, Infants, and Children) program, which provided healthy nutrition. I memorized the list of allowed food items and included them in my grocery shopping list.
We all loved our church, where worship was uplifting and Pastor Steve's sermons were both challenging and encouraging. The Sunday school classes were fun and age-appropriate for four-year-old Maggie and three-year-old Lolo. Their teachers were kind, and the girls loved attending their classes.
Serena was able to buy a gently used car, Dave had a pickup truck, and Dave and I purchased a minivan. Shared transportation was no longer an issue, eliminating another source of stress.
It was wonderful having Serena and her girls living with us. Our spacious house became a playground for Maggie and Lolo. I enjoyed sitting with them on the carpet in front of the linen closet, reading to them, and singing together.
They loved Polly Pocket dolls and play jewelry, especially pop beads. We had plenty of room for them to spread out their toys, and the kitchen table served as a great play area, keeping the toys off the busy kitchen floor.
A favorite game was hide-and-seek, with the kitchen pantry being a popular hiding spot. When the seeker looked through the glass door, the hider would yell out, "Boo!" During the summer months, we set up a water table on a picnic bench with a big bowl of water, pitchers, bowls, and cups for pouring and dipping. It was good, clean fun. Life was calm and good, until it wasn't.
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