Last week, I had an old friend attempt suicide. Lately she had been spiraling down into the darkness of alcoholism and a cocaine addiction. I did what I could to get her mind off of those things, to be there for her instead of letting her be alone with those thoughts that drive her addiction and drinking; and I wasn't the only one trying.
It wasn't enough though, I'd received a text message the next morning saying that she was in the chemical dependency unit over at the hospital and in a panic I went to visit her as soon as I could. They wouldn't let me in because I didn't have the patient codes, so I went searching for either of her parents and went with them to visit her. Her hands were shaking, eyes seemed full of both anger, fear and more so depression.
Sarah and I alternated seeing her throughout the rest of the week and weekend, giving her someone to be with her that was familiar and to keep tabs on her for those that wanted to visit but weren't able to. Her mom would be there and one would notice the tension that sprung up from there.
She got out on Tuesday. We took her home and waited for Sarah to join us for a night out for food to welcome our friend back. Though it wasn't going to be as enjoyable as we'd all hoped. As soon as she got out, there was a load of limitations placed on her, including not having the car anymore. This caused an uproar and it took Sarah and I a while to mediate things. I've volunteered to drive her to her morning therapy classes (0900-1500) for the rest of the week, and asked her to promise not to go to her father for the car keys for at least a week. She did, although a bit reluctantly.
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Such a day, getting her to and from therapy, sadly she's missed her other two, but I hope that it won't repeat itself. I don't think I've had a mother that wasn't my own call me so often in a day.
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*sighs* Lord give me patience and more so wisdom with this situation. I can only do so much on my own, but I know it's through you that her healing can truly begin. May this time in her life guide her towards you. Help the relationships that are trying to help her stay firm and give her strength to get over the hurtles that have been placed before her. Hold her in your might arms and let her know the peace that comes through you. Amen.
