“Hey mum, I met a girl my age at school today. She’s not even that crazy!  Can we hang out at lunch or after school?”

(Not too crazy eh?  I’ve heard that before.)

“How old is she?”

“She’s my age, and even lives close to us….”

“Ummmmm ya, ok. Not missing any school right?”

“Nope, not at all.”

“OK.  Be safe.”

What would you do if your child met someone new? 

In my world, there’s a million things that run through my mind. I want to believe things are ok. I really do. We’ve had a good run for a few months, and I’d like to keep it that way. 

The last year has been a lonely one for my daughter. Changing schools and alienation from friends is a tough thing, but do you blame people?  I dont, however it doesn’t make it hurt any less. 

I remember growing up, learning that I shouldn’t hand around  those kind of kids. “Trouble creates more trouble.” “Stay away from bad influences.” ” You become like the company you keep.”  All great words of wisdom, except when trouble has been your child.

When I look at my daughter I see a kind, energetic, silly teen ager. I see a girl who has been through tremendous pain and difficulty. I also see a girl with a tremendously empathetic heart, a very old soul, and a love for people like none other. I’m sure that’s not the picture other parents see.

How does one get rid of a reputation dragged along under the veil of mental health issues?  No really.  I’m truly asking – how do we leave this behind?

I don’t blame folks for saying stay away, she’s been involved in bad stuff, however mental health issues are not contagious.  It’s not like the flu or a cold – I swear.

There’s a commercial on TV right now,  with a boy that is a bully. He talks about some of the bad stuff, but if people could take a moment to find out who he really is, they’d see someone very different. I always think about that and relate to it in a strange way.

“How was coffee with your new friend?”

“Good.   She’s really girly, more than me. She thinks her boyfriend is cheating on her. She’s had like 4 different dads or something. I think she has like 5 or 6 brothers and sisters – something like that. She’s really nice.  Too much drama though.”

LOL.   Normal teenage stuff. Boys.  School.  Friends.  Family. All seemingly normal stuff. Dare I be a little relieved?

“I’m glad you had fun sweetie. Will you see her again?”

“Ya, probably. Not really many other choices – but ya. I’ll see her again.”

It’s a start. Fingers crossed.