On Motherhood, Co-Dependence, and Letting Go | by Linda Brendle

I loved being pregnant. For a co-dependent like me, it was the ultimate boundary-free relationship. I had an easy pregnancy, no morning sickness or fat ankles, but toward the end, he took up more than his share of space. Like a toddler who crawls in bed with you in the middle of the night, he stretched his 21 inches in all directions at once, wedging a hand under my ribs while standing on my kidneys and sitting on my bladder. I think God plans it that way so, by the time labor begins, you’re completely ready to let go of the little bundle of joy you’ve been incubating for nine months. And that’s what being a mother is all about – letting go.

I’m Addicted | by Linda Brendle

David and I spent a few days around New Year with my brother Jim. We enjoy spending time with him and Jo Lynn. They’re a fun couple who always has neat ideas of interesting things to do, and they are excellent hosts. That alone would be enough of an incentive for a visit, but they also live three miles from Southridge, the assisted living facility where Mom lives. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know I had a major caregiver burnout a year or so ago, and Mom moved from my home to Southridge. I miss her a lot, but in the last 12 months I’ve begun to recover my sanity and my health and to remember how much I enjoy spending uninterrupted time with David. But this visit confirmed that it’s a good thing she lives almost 300 miles away, because I’m just a step away from relapsing into addiction. Hi, my name is Linda and I’m a caregiver.