Recently, I got yanked out of my real estate focused world with an email alerting me to the fact that my 12–year old god-daughter is struggling with anorexia. It is serious enough that she is in a care facility and came close to heart damage.
Who knows how things will turn out? Not me. I’m feeling very, very human. You know that most human of feelings – vulnerability.
I was out looking for some books to send to Alice today. What an experience that was. Going through the teen book section made me realize how out of touch I am with that world.
And when my thoughts moved in that orbit, I realized how important, and yet, challenging it can be to put ourselves in the other’s shoes.
My former wife taught me an important lesson – total is total. It does not matter how we get there, when we arrive, that big empty overwhelming hole is the same – total.
People are losing their homes, can you relate? The shock-treatment I just received leaves me in a much more empathetic state for all things human.
If you have friends or loved ones that suffer from emotional or compulsive eating disorders, I recommend the work of my friend Geneen Roth. It’s where I pointed Alice’s parents.
Vicki Moore
January 12, 2008 at 11:33 am
Our thoughts are with you, John.
Athol Kay
January 12, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Oy, memories here.
The girl I probably would have married struggled with Anorexia, so I’m kinda jaded on this issue as a result.
I *know* it does no good to say it, but…
HAVE A DAMN SANDWICH ALREADY.
Anyway, I made my choices and I’m really happy I did. We did lose contact though. I just wish I knew if she was alive or not.
Good luck with this John. It’s a long road. 🙁