We finally found the exit ramp and got the hell of out of Downer Town.
I was loathed to return to Downer Town, the inescapable metropolis of pervasive gloom and despair which had permeated Mom's every waking moment for a couple of weeks straight. But last Saturday afternoon it was time for me to take over Mom duty from The Other Girl, so I steeled myself as best I could and picked her up from my sister's home on the coast. With no pressing engagements that day, we meandered around, driving up the Oregon coast seeing the sights, stopping for clam chowder, and picking up fresh crab to take home - your basic dinking around activities when you're headed inland.
By the time we got home that evening, I had something to say to my sister. The text went like this:
"Who is this sunny, happy sprite you sent home with me and what have you done with our mother?"
It's a miracle! At some point during my days off, The Other Girl had managed to find a way out of Downer Town! I don't know if it was the change of scenery, the addition of Zoloft to Mom's pill regimen, or my sister's return from a week-long absence.
The Other Girl is unquestionably Mom's favorite, and thus, could have single-handedly turned Mom's frown upside down. My Aunt Ginny takes the silver in Mom's affections, with me earning a bronze in this category. Although... lately I've been inching up on second place. Watch your back, Gin! I'm apparently gunning for 'ya.
Whatever got Mom to her happy place, I'll take it! We had a terrific week with laughter, smiles, and her sly, naughty self doing sly, naughty things. So the severe anxiety has lifted. Now it's just the regular anxiety. And that, my friends, is a town I don't mind living in.
Until next time, Downer Town!
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Jeee-zusssss! What a week. (Downer Town Week 1)