Sadness and anger re a mentally ill friend
I first met G.B. when he began to volunteer at Resurrection House, Sarasota’s Day Shelter for homeless people. He is a very personable and extremely friendly “thirty something”. I like him. As I got to know G., I encountered his sadder side. It became clear to me that he has a mental illness (of which he is vary aware). “On his meds” G. has great charm, and the ability to function in our complicated society. “Off his meds” he goes into very dark inner places, and his behaviours become utterly impulsive. Once, when my friend J.T. was visiting from Phoenix, she, G. and I went out for lunch. In the midst of that lunch G. went in to a total “melt-down”. His inner agony was palpable. Thank goodness that J.T. was there. She used all her professional skills (she is a trained and qualified counselor) and her emphatic skills to talk and love him back into equilibrium. Later I helped G.B. to move into an apartment complex where his rent would be su...