Lifeboats

I cannot think of anything more important for mom and dad than lifeboats. For each of us the boat may be different but without a lifeboat during this crisis you will drown. You cannot feel guilty about saving yourself even if you can't save him.

Some of our lifeboats:

A brand new granddaughter, the first grandchild. 3 month birthday two days ago.

Our daughters and our family. People lost in the same hopelessness about the situation. As they say misery loves company. We become our own support group.

Our jobs, an escape out of a house of madness. Physical escape is important. 

Friends that sometimes do nothing more than listen and console.

Date Night, every Friday Mom and Dad have date night and we go out with a couple life long friends. A Mexican restaurant, a cup of coffee and a stroll around the Plaza. During those 3 -4 hours the world is normal. The women complain about their jobs and the men talk  sports and tell crude rude jokes.

A ride on the Harley, nothing matters except the bike, the road, and the trip. Where ever the road goes. 

My workshop, something I can control. Taking a piece of wood and creating something that I like and people appreciate. 

Dinner parties and entertaining. We love entertaining bringing together family, or friends to fellowship. As few as a couple for a quiet evening or as grand as our annual festival attended by up almost 150. The distraction of planning these events keeps us busy and our mind occupied. 

A hard lesson for us to learn was that we matter too. Every parent knows that you would give your life to save your child. The lesson learned was we cannot save him. We can only provide the environment or force the conditions where he wants to save himself. If mom and dad do not save themselves mentally and physically they cannot be there to help when the time is right.