Save the world one child at a time

I have been spending a fair amount of time working individually with some of the kids at the adolescent home. There is one in particular that seems to look forward to my visits; I will refer to him as Tigger. Tigger is really angry and his mom is apparently suffering from some psychological issues. He is prone to fits of rage and has a particular lack of respect for woman. Tigger seems to enjoy hanging out with me and we play a lot of basketball, racquetball and foosball. We laugh and have a good time but he has yet to open up emotionally. I am going to try to get him out of the home for a trip to the beach or something to see if he will talk with me.

Too busy for Clickerville

I believe that you must strive to live in a manner that reflects your core belief system. Lately I have been all but absent from Clickerville, but I wonder if I am beginning to burn out a bit. Following is my schedule for the last week or so:

3/16: Work and sports banquet for B
3/17: Work
3/18: Work, make supper then meditation class with D
3/19: Work and Cadet Group
3/20: Adolescent group home
3/21 – 22: Take Cadet Group to overnight trip on USS Salem battleship
3/23 – 3/25: Snowmobiling near Canada with J
3/26: Work and Cadet Group
3/27: Work and Adolescent Home
3/28 – 29: Work and time with family

It is a pretty insane schedule and while I feel tired, I truly believe that I am making the most of my short time on this planet.

I stopped taking Lexapro on Monday and I do not feel any worse for it. I will continue with the Adderall for as long as I need it.

Sledding with J was fabulous. It was a great Father and Son bonding experience.

The trip with the Cadet Group was also fabulous. Everything went well and both staff and the cadets had a great time.

I went to the Y to lift weights with the boys from the adolescent home last Friday and then we went to see “Knowing” which was a decent movie.

I do feel like I am neglecting B a bit. We still walk most school mornings but we have only been boarding twice and have not been running together at all. I need to spend some more time with him. Perhaps I will take him to the climbing gym this weekend.

I worry a lot about my back taxes and wonder when Uncle Sam will come pounding on my door. I need to spend more time with my finances.

Broken hearts everywhere

Yesterday I went to see my 17 year-old nephew C. He just broke up with his girlfriend of 13 months and has been acting out as of late. Like my son, this was his first breakup. Apparently his former girlfriend hangs out with kids that C says are involved with drugs and partying and she was lying to him about it. Sitting across from him at a table inside Starbucks, I could see he was struggling emotionally. Whith his head hung low and a look of dejection on his face, he appeared to be broken and hopeless. However, when I told him I had scheduled our vacation week up at the lake, he perked up a bit. We always take him with us and I know he looks forward to the trip with great anticipation.

I started reading a new book called “Teen Whisperer” by Mike Linderman. I am impressed with the author already and he and I have many things in common. I look forward to learning more about his approach to counseling teens.

Young Love

Saturday I held my sobbing sixteen year-old son in my arms. B had his heart broken by his first girlfriend whom he loved deeply. I had never expected the relationship to last because they seldom do in high school. But against all odds they stayed together for approximately six months. And they loved each other’s company. They would talk on the phone for hours and laugh and play much to my delight. I am always happy when B enjoys being a child, an opportunity I never got to enjoy. My heart ached as I wrestled with mixed emotions. I am thankful that B and I have the kind of relationship where he can share with me his deep-felt sorrow. I also think it is good that a sixteen year-old will allow himself to cry as he will likely work through the grieving process more quickly. But it was gut wrenching to see him in such a sad state.

All good things......

This morning it was cold and rainy when B and I took A for her walk. I suspect our sledding and snowboarding season is coming to an end soon.

I am enjoying working with the cadet group. I finally accepted the position of XO so I guess I will be there for a while. Soon, we will be spending a weekend aboard the USS Salem and I am excited about the visit. I always enjoy my time aboard the venerable battleship.

Switch to Dunkin???? Never!

Lately I have been feeling a bit guilty about some of my spending habits. Many people I associate with including parents and staff from the cadet group as well as my own sisters have significantly less financial resources then I do. Most mornings you will find me sitting in my elitist coffee shop wearing my $160 North Face jacket and $120 Keen shoes drinking a $5 triple-venti-no-whipped mocha. Yesterday I decided to change all that; Today I am sitting in my elitist coffee shop wearing my $160 North Face jacket and $120 Keen shoes drinking a $2.75 Café Au Lait. Now I feel much better.

Working hard

Life has been pretty frantic lately. I am working my butt off but still spending lots of time with the family, cadet group and adolescent home. My mood has been great due in part to some changes I made to my meds. I now take one Adderall in the morning and another after lunch. I take the Lexapro before I go to bed. I love work right now and I have been super productive.

Last night at drill I finally accepted the CO's request to take over the position of XO (Executive Officer). I have decided against starting my own unit as I am quite happy working with the unit in Boston. We started a new recruit training class and we brought eight new kids into the unit.

File this posting under "life is good". ;-)