This week has allowed me more time at home. 

There was the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday and Wednesday and Thursday were snow days from school. 

Friday was the only day I substitute taught. 

During the week my Dad and I worked well together. We made a delicious beef stew in the crockpot, did laundry and cleared the driveway of snow. It was special having these extra times to help and spend with one another. 

However, being home allowed me more time to focus my evenings on unhealthy thoughts. ”Too much time on my hands.” I spent wasted hours on my phone –searching the internet for ideas that I already knew the answers too. 

Reaching out to good friends through messages and phone calls helped me think more clearly and find the truth. 

When I returned to work at school on Friday, it was a positive experience to socialize with many people and boost my confidence.

Today, Saturday, my son stopped in to have a short visit from college. It always makes me happy to see him. 

After he left I went out for a short while by myself. I felt fine eating lunch alone as there were others eating alone or together. While I sat in my booth sipping my coffee, I felt a calmness as the snow lightly fell. Quietly I told myself I am fine.

As night approaches on this frigid evening I will cuddle with my dog. He will stay close as I: drink tea, listen to music, write, and watch Netflix.