An Invincible Summer - A Woman's Journey

Recently, I went to Denver to visit my daughter. It was a good visit. I brought my best self there and enjoyed her company thoroughly.  One night, after she went home, I was still antsy and decided to go see a movie. Jurassic World was ok but, good or bad (mostly not that great) I’ve seen them all because of falling in love with the first in the series.  The Cinemark theater was a little sketchy, somewhat run down but I got my popcorn and enjoyed.  The next day I was telling my girl about the movie. She was quiet and then said, “I probably should have told you mom, that is the theater is where the Batman shooting took place 12 years ago. I sat there stunned, without words. After a while, I realized not only did I go to the same theater complex but in the exact theater where the killing spree took place.  Questions entered my mind. How in the world did Century Theaters decide to keep that horrible place open? How is it that they think it’s ok to pretend like it did no...

Last night my girl was not acting herself. I knew something wasn't right but I asked and she brushed me off. I waited for awhile and went into her room, sat next to her bed and gave her a chance to talk and talk she did. She's dealing with a heartbreak and a disappointment. She's having to make a hard decision that she wishes she didn't have to make. I have some very strong opinions in the matter but my Al-Anon tools took over. They told me to be quiet and to listen and to wait. She talked and talked. She did not ask my opinion, I did not give it. Amazing! She knows what to do, she does not need me to advise. Constantly telling loved ones what to do sends them the message that you feel they are incapable of making good decisions for themselves, hamstringing their decision making process and not allowing them the victories or repercussions of good or bad choices. I'm late to the learning process but better late than never. I learn way more from my kids than I ...