Denise shares her last days in the hospital together with her grandmother. While it was heavy and emotional, of course, she explains why she did not feel depleted by the grief. Denise and Jackie discuss the importance of telling the people you love that you love them and the different ways of doing so. Jackie talks about saying goodbye to her grandma while at a wedding and recent mental health updates. She is looking forward to an upcoming trial with Ritalin even though trying a new medication brings anxiety. 

Denise then shares how the book, Fire, We Make the Beast Beautiful, has made her feel at peace with her anxiety. Ultimately, living any kind of life, a healthy, happy one, or a chaotic one, is a choice. A staple of joyous living is being part of a community. They agree that the effort and vulnerability required to genuinely connect are absolutely worth it. 

If you’re interested in being a future podcast guest or want to attend our meetings (once they’re up and running), send us an email at [email protected] with your thoughts and any other questions you have! We can’t wait to hear from you. We’ll see you soon.

Topics Covered:

• Denise’s hospital experience 
• Showing people you love them
• Saying goodbye at a wedding
• Beginning Ritalin
• Outrunning anxiety
• ACA meeting exploration
• The hard work of living
• The healing power of togetherness

Resources Mentioned:

• Join our upcoming meetings: https://forms.gle/4VxnNUnev1RoRJMCA
• Stay tuned for a "diagnosed but mom said no" hat giveaway!
• ACA https://adultchildren.org/
• AA https://www.aa.org/

Follow Us:

• Follow Jackie: jackiefreed.la 
• Follow Denise: @denise.freed 
• Follow us on Instagram: @12stepsforeveryone 
• Follow us on TikTok: @12stepsforeveryone