Day6-A Ray of Hope Woven by Small Promises

In the soft glow of the autumn evening, gentle light filtered through the window, casting a pale hue across the room. As I sat at my desk, I paused, pen in hand, and quietly asked myself:

"Can I, living with bipolar disorder, coexist with my mother who has dementia?"

This question circled in my mind repeatedly, intertwining anxiety with hope. Living with my mother will undoubtedly come with challenges. But even so, I don't want to give up. I began to contemplate what kind of promises we would need to make to live together.

Because both of us might experience lapses in memory, our agreements had to be simple. Eventually, I narrowed it down to three promises:

"Live at our own pace," "Don't push ourselves," and "Seek help when something happens."

First, we must respect each other's pace. Both my mother and I have our own rhythms. Instead of imposing our pace on one another, we should find harmony together. That's the first step toward coexistence.

Next, we should avoid overexertion. Rather than sacrificing ourselves for each other's sake, by valuing ourselves, we can, in turn, value each other. By not pushing ourselves, we'll create space for peace of mind.

Lastly, we need to establish an environment where we can consult someone without hesitation when issues arise. My mother has national support services, and I have the hospital staff. Having reliable support can alleviate our anxieties and feelings of isolation.

To be honest, living together won't be easy. Still, my mother feels like a mirror reflecting myself. Through her, I can re-examine who I am. Perhaps, even if the journey is challenging, this is what it means to "live my own life."

Looking out the window, I was struck by the vibrant hues of the sunset painting the sky. I smiled softly, moved by its beauty. There will surely be many trials ahead in our lives. But with our small promises held close to my heart, I want to move forward step by step with my mother.

Until the day I cease to be myself, I wish to live alongside the person who is most important to me. As long as this feeling remains, I'm sure we can overcome whatever lies ahead.