Change

Life is changing fast at our house and for someone who doesn't deal with change or transition very well . . . . well, life is pretty tough right now.

Graduation. Does Kimmie even know what that means? I have been trying to put it in perspective by referring to her being finished with school. No more school. No more getting up at 6:00 am and climbing on a bus at 6:30. We thought she'd be happy to be finished, but school is what she knows. School is familiar, so maybe not.

And Beyond Graduation. Maybe she's worried about what happens next. We have tried to explain it to her. Two days a week at home with Mom, and three days a week at Apple Patch. She has gone to Apple Patch the last two summers. Home and Apple Patch are both familiar to her. We thought that would be an easy transition since she knows both.

And What About Sister. This appears to be the most distressing change. Bethany has a job now, so she is gone more. Bethany has a car now, so she comes and goes more freely (which also means she's gone more). Bethany will be going to college in the fall. I'm sure Kimmie has heard us talk about college, and I'm also sure she doesn't know what that means. In that uncertainty probably lies some anxiety, reflected in the constant worry about where Bethany is.

Attempting to comfort her, calm her, assure her and reassure her has become a daily event along with the heartache of seeing her in so much distress.

Hopefully when we get through the graduations, and days become more routine, some of the stress and distress will ease. Hopefully.

--Mom