It just happens....

Tuesday evenings we have started a new tradition since my mother has moved to Clarksville. We go over to her house for dinner and to hang out as soon as I get off work. I walked into the house last night at about 5:15 and all was well. As soon as I changed we headed out the door to Nana's house. Once outside the gate of the post Faith just exploded. It was almost impossible for Renae to drive and unbearable for me and Abbi. We had no choice but to turn around. If you can imagine an explosion then multiply it by 10 when we turned around. Faith was not having it, she wanted to go to Nana's. This made no sense but it was what she wanted. It turns out she did not want to let Nana be lonely since she was expecting us. In other words she was feeling like she was the cause of Nana not getting to see any of us, which was true, but not by any means more important than her and how she felt. As a family we have to remember that her emotions are more important than any prior obligations we have. One of the problems associated with Mood Disorders is that they are uncontrollable. That means our entire family has to constantly be flexible. This is one of the hardest things to deal with. It causes immeasurable stress, anxiety, and guilt on Faith. I understand her feelings, I just wish we could figure out a way to let her know it is ok and she does not have to try and hide her emotions, since last night is a perfect example of what will happen. Her little sister Abbi, the youngest of all really does not understand, but I think as she gets older she will. This is another reason people who know anyone with Mood Disorders need to understand that they may be on their way to an event, and if they never show up, it is nothing they can control. Luckily our Nana understands, however I can remember this happening before one of our Army Ball's, we could not leave Faith. I still hear about it today, two years later about not showing up. I just blamed it on my wife not feeling good, since no one will mess with her in person about it. But this is the reality of Mood Disorders. Kris