Monday, August 22, 2011

Can a person REALLY change?

Since the "button" has entered the merry old land of Oz, people have asked me, "do you think he can change?"

Hmmmm.  Don't know.

Want is the key.

This blog is the outcome of a night on the porch.  Women in nightgowns, on a mission. 

The person who really inspired me though was a lovely 17 year old teenager.  She also sat patiently one night and walked me through all the techno stuff for the blog.

This lovely young lady, who we will call "E", walked up to her mom one day and said, "I need to break up with my boyfriend".

The mom says, "I didn't know you had a boyfriend."

"Yes.  His name is ED as in Eating Disorder."

And, just like this Tigger mom, that Tigger mom began her quest for help and repair.  But it wasn't about the help that the mom found, it was about "E" and her acceptance and her want for change.

But, the very first time "E" went to a therapist, she sat across the room from the therapist with arms crossed so tightly that her fingers were blue.  She probably has fuzz balls under her arms pits she was so angry and so rigid. 

And now, two years later, and yes, some pounds heavier, "Miss E" sits with her arms open and a huge smile on her face almost all the time.  She worked and fought and listened and talked her way right through her horrible relationship with a dude named ED. 

And, in the middle of it, she started a blog.  A blog for other girls to go to and for other girls to have hope. 

One day at high school, while the classmates were waiting for the fire drill to end, another skinny "random" girl walked up to "E" and handed her a note.  The note said, "thank you".
Apparently this "random" girl was now dating ED. 

"E" had the courage to change and the want to change.

I have quit smoking, quit playing Farmville (yes, addicted to cyber farming) and addicted to happy hour in my younger years.  And, I am still addicted to chocolate and cake plates.  I haven't had chocolate in seven days and I haven't bought a cake plate in a month.  I have wanted to change.

Can the "button" change?  I honestly do not know.  I do know that Franklin and I are not experts nor do we play ones on television.  If he was going to change, he needed experts and a different environment to do so.  I have said a million prayers that he will and that he wants to do.  It is up to some little guy in the mountains and some Big Guy in the Heavens.

I have seen the "button" change and work so very hard in wrestling.  Six minutes can be the longest ever when you are on the mat.  I hope that he  understands that this too is a match and even though you get down on your back, you can get back up.

Change is the result of want.  I pray the "button" wants it as much as others want it for him.

Some people have criticized me for this blog.  I don't care.  If it changes one kids life, it was worth it.  The "button" is an organ donor.  He wants to change a person's life and make it better when he passes.  Surely, he would want to do the same will he is alive.   I have had several calls from parents who want their kids lives to change as well.  They have read the blog, discovered the warning signs and are now on a quest for help.

Just like "Miss E", one person, one thank you makes a difference.  Our family  was hit with a hurricane named "Teenager" and I truly feel sorry for the families that do not know that the red dot is getting ready to hit land at their address.

So, "Miss E", because of your courage, and your WANT to change, you may have saved a couple more lives than you ever imagined.  Smile girl. 

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