In honor of Elana Johnson's book release for Surrender (released June 5th, same day as mine! Makes Alana and I book sisters, yes?), she is holding a blogfest called NEVER Surrender
And this is where we get to the TMI portion of my blog. I haven't over-revealed for a while now, have I? It's probably about due...
Because I am ONE STUBBORN GIRL and I really never surrender on ANYTHING. And when a person has that personality, it sort of is just par for the course—that not surrendering thing. But when I think about the time that took EVERYTHING I HAD... yeah. That one. So here it is...
I am going to have to be a little cryptic, because the involvement of MY stubbornness and MY will does NOT make this all MY story, and the OTHER person involved would not be even remotely amused to be the center of this. But this is really the time—the one that for me, in all my life, stands out. (excuse the grammar stuff to remain gender neutral--they, while inaccurate, is a lot less cumbersome than 'he or she')
I love someone who went a little crazy. Okay. A lot crazy. They were in my daily life and they were falling apart. And it wasn't MY stuff, it was THEIR stuff, so I felt really really helpless. I loved them and it wasn't enough for them to want to do anything to make their life better. Their CHILD was not enough for them to want to make their life better.
There were suicide attempts. Apparently five of them, but when I heard... the first time I heard... I called the local hospital and tracked down the local triage for this and I had them arrested. I committed them to save their life, knowing they might hate me forever for causing them to be dragged off in handcuffs and institutionalized. Hardest thing I've ever done, and I am crying thinking about it. Walking out with the police I received a cold stare. “I can't believe you did this.”
But it worked. They got cleaned up, got on medication. Life has not been a bowl of cashews since... there has been a lot of work and some lapses in sanity, but it has NEVER gotten this bad again. I was not willing to just LET THEM give up on themselves. Life is good. Life is worth living. And if I have to lock you up to prove it, dammit, I will.
Have you had a moment that called on everything you had? Where the consequences of surrender would have been too high to take?
Go check out the other entries, too!
22 comments:
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Wow! That's all I can really say. That's one intense, full-on story. Thanks for sharing it, and I totally get the need to be gender neutral and not drop too many hints. Yikes!
You did a good thing, even if at the time you weren't thanked for it. You did it for the child, and for your friend. I guess this story proves that sometimes, tough love is the best kind!
That's a tough call, but definitely the right decision. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, that's a difficult situation. Most people wouldn't have made that call.
Great example of your tenacity. You are a pit-bull for love. You did more than not surrender though, you took that chance that you might be sacrificing your friendship for the better good of the other person. Huzzah!
Now, an example...hmmm...yes. I told a very close friend that her partner was screwing around on her. I did not surrender being truthful with her even though I thought it might ruin our friendship. We are still friends more than twenty years later.
As others have already said, Wow. Good for you for having the strength to make the tough call.
They are lucky that you were there for them.
Blimey. Hope this someone continues to be ok. Take care
x
You did what needed to be done.
Sure you're not a redhead? We are very stubborn.
sounds like a extremely hard situation you have been in-i hope it is better
It takes a lot of guts to do what you did, especially knowing it might not work out in a positive light. It's tough to make decisions like this when all those voices in your head are conflicting. Great job on never surrendering!
What you did, Hart, takes courage and a great deal of love. You are a hero. The closest I've come to something like that is to save myself from a bad marriage.
Play off the Page
Yes,there was a time it would have been much easier to just give up, and then i would not have had to worry all the time. But I knew that if I gave up, even just an inch, someone i love dearly would have paid the price. I am so glad I hung in there. Now, that person is one AMAZING person. Thanks for sharing your tough story.
Thank you so much everyone! I definitely wouldn't go back to that time. But looking back, it can be reassuring to know what you're made of.
that took absolute courage on your part. bravo!
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Wow, Hart, you done good -- the right and courageous thing to do. How painful to watch someone we love self-destruct. I've been in some tough situations but nothing like what you went through.
Like Jan said, Pitbull of love. Really tough, and took a whole lot of guts and a bucket of love.
Hart,
You did the right thing... Your heart was in the RIGHT place at the RIGHT time. I admire your strength and love not to give up on someone you care so deeply about.
BTW CONGRATS ON YOU SUCCESS... The blogosphere is a buzz! I am so proud of you....
A NAKED SALUTE....
Wow, that's intense. It takes a lot of strength to do what you did. Sometimes the most loving thing you can do for someone seems like the worst thing on the surface, but can save a life.
WOW extremely intense...you did what was best.
Greetings!
I'm trying to visit all the participants of the 2012 A to Z Challenge and I have arrived at your lovely blog. Good luck with the rest of the year!
Donna L Martin
www.donasdays.blogspot.com
This story breaks my heart because sadly, I was the crazy person to a lot of my friends (actually, my never surrender blog post is about not giving up on life). I'm glad that your friend is okay, and I'm glad that you were brave enough to commit them. I wish there was more information readily available about mental health. Maybe someday...maybe someday...
I am horribly late getting to visit the other posts for Never Surrender, but each one is so encouraging! Thank you for your tough love that didn't give up on your friend. Life IS worth living and it's just awful how various things can keep us from seeing that.
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