My therapist sent me on a journey to find an answer
For the past seven years, my daughter has struggled with substance abuse. She’s addicted to heroin and meth. After six months of inpatient rehabilitation treatment, she recently returned home.
She continues to struggle. Her mental health is declining. During the last five weeks, we’ve watched her transform into a shell of herself, regardless of taking part in an intensive outpatient treatment program and weekly one-on-one counseling sessions.
The pain she suffers is so immense, I can feel it. Two nights ago, I called her out on it. I can see the pattern, and it’s time for her to get help.
…
Society
And being female doesn’t automatically make women victims
If you haven’t heard, 38-year-old U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, is under investigation for the possible underage sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl who he took across state lines, and a slew of other sexual conduct related charges.
Gaetz inappropriately refers to the 17-year-old as a woman. If he continues to use the word “woman,” people will indirectly forget that by law and morally, she was a child when the alleged offense occurred.
The most notable thing about this event?
It made claims of sexual harassment against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) disappear from media headlines…
Relationships
The pandemic has strained every type of relationship. Here’s how to handle that someone
I have a family member (we’ll call him Bob) who is an outrageous conspiracy theorist and bully. We’ve been in one another’s lives for nearly three decades. During this time, he’s been irrationally stockpiling and prepping for the end of the world.
His stories never end, and I’ve heard them all. The September 11 attacks were an inside government job. Former president, Barack Obama, isn’t black or mixed race. He’s Muslim and planted in The White House to take over the world.
He genuinely believes that Nicholas Kristof is a spy for North Korea and refuses to rule out the…
Mental Health
Easier said than done
I’m a woman of action, and incapable of doing nothing while others are suffering. I’ve repeatedly proven this to myself throughout adulthood by joining the Army, earning a degree in Advanced Behavioral Science and investing almost two decades of fieldwork in violence prevention.
Battered by defeat, I forced myself to accept that the world doesn’t want to be saved and threw in the towel.
I grew tired of fighting, but I’m riddled with anxiety sitting here on the sidelines. It’s a moral instinct I can’t shake, regardless of promising myself that I’d learn to let it go. …
The story of how we lost an ordinary farmer, elected state senator, to the Grand QAnon Party
Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. — State of Iowa
Across the pond, through the study window, I see an American Flag at half staff rustling in the wind. It’s been at half staff since November 7, 2020, the day the U. S. declared President Biden victorious in the election. I try not to look at it, but it’s all I can see. I watched as the family — three generations — lower it together.
Upstairs, the view from my bedroom window stretches out into the distance where a screaming red Chinese Flag hangs from a…
Pandemic Life
If you faced the world today, you’re doing okay
“Who are we? Are we simply what others want us to be? Are we destined to a fate beyond our control? Or can we evolve, become something more?” — Jean Grey, Dark Phoenix
A friend recently said to me, “I admire your ability to stick with self care during the worst time in modern history.”
I chuckled. “Don’t be too impressed. It’s not that I’m motivated, it’s that my other option is a possible femoral neck break.”
It’s true that I’m doing my best to take care of myself, but I wouldn’t refer to it as a success story. I’m…
Pandemic Life
Once vaccines stabilize the crisis, the gritty work begins
As COVID-19 vaccination numbers increase across the country, I’ve noticed two trending themes. While getting the shot, some people breakdown and cry with relief.
“I didn’t realize how isolated and devastated I was feeling but now, I’m just so grateful we can get back to normal,” an Iowa Statehouse candidate announced during a legislative Zoom meeting.
Uh, define normal?
Meanwhile, anti- mask, anti- vaccine protesters were rallying in the Statehouse Rotunda with their elementary school-age children who held signs that read, “COVID FREE ENTERPRISE,” and “Unmask Me.”
If I were a kid and my parents were brainwashing me with a…
I'm gushing. Thank you so much for writing this. Not only did I feel like I was right there next to you while you shared about each trophy during the tour of your bedroom, but it's a topic that needs to be spoken about in a postive manner and you nailed it.
I’m not scared or a sheep. Chances are, it’s not what you think
When I say, “stay home,” I certainly don’t want to leave anyone under the impression that I’ve been hiding in my basement for 365 days, or that I haven’t left the house at all or I’m living in fear.
That’s not the case. Although I’m currently serving my ninth quarantine since the pandemic arrived in Iowa in early March 2020, I haven’t had COVID-19, nor have I been at risk by coming into contact with someone exposed.
When I say, “quarantined,” I mean physically isolating. I’m avoiding all of you and I’ve taken a lot of crap for it.
During…
Erika Anne Sauter
Reporter based in Eastern Iowa. Pro- equality. Anti- AR15. My hobbies include emotional eating, petting cats, hibernating and farming.
