When you find yourself on a milk crate
Sam got his new job over a week ago but he hasn't started any shifts yet because they had to wait for the customary drug test and background check to be completed. He gave up his fair share of urine for the drug test a week ago. Since then, we have joked that he probably wouldn't pass the drug test, or the back ground test. Ha ha ha...and we laugh and it's been the underlying humor of the day. When I call him to say 'hi', I say, "So, did you pass that drug test yet?"
It's an old joke I realize, but we grasp at humor some days.
So, while I was in Salt Lake this week with Shelbie, I called to see how Sam was doing.
"Mom...so, I got a call today from the drug testing company today. They found drugs in my system."
"They did not Samuel! Stop! It's not funny anymore. You're just trying to get me worked up!"
"Mom!! I'm not joking. I tested positive for amphetamines."
"WHAT?!!! How is that possible?" At this point, my blood pressure has exceeded all allowable limits. I'm feeling dizzy and scanning the room for a place to puke.
In my dazed and confused state, Sam quickly reminded me that he just started taking medication, a month or so ago, for his processing issues, which has amphetamine salt in it. I can't believe I forgot that!
He had to jump through some hoops to get them RX numbers, insurance information, doctor's contact information etc. so they could investigate and confirm that it is a prescribed medication, which he is taking as prescribed. That was resolved yesterday and he starts work on Monday!
Also, an amazing thing happened while I was gone. Sam found himself!! On a stack of plastic milk crates!
For Family Home Evening, his apartment went to the climbing gym. They had another activity there called Crate Stacking.
I would be lying if my inside voice wasn't chewing the boy out while he showed me these videos because, he's three stories up in the air, suspended by a tiny carabiner and a kid holding a climbing rope. However, the joy I felt in seeing Sam finally do something terrifying and scary despite his current level of health and depression was a glimmer of hope for me. For those few seconds of video, I saw my old Sam once again and it made me tear up.
Crate Stacking is a wonderful metaphor for our life. Everyday, we find ourselves on a milk crate. We teeter and totter on the edge of it all, we have to face our fears but keep on climbing, upward and onward.
It's an old joke I realize, but we grasp at humor some days.
So, while I was in Salt Lake this week with Shelbie, I called to see how Sam was doing.
"Mom...so, I got a call today from the drug testing company today. They found drugs in my system."
"They did not Samuel! Stop! It's not funny anymore. You're just trying to get me worked up!"
"Mom!! I'm not joking. I tested positive for amphetamines."
"WHAT?!!! How is that possible?" At this point, my blood pressure has exceeded all allowable limits. I'm feeling dizzy and scanning the room for a place to puke.
In my dazed and confused state, Sam quickly reminded me that he just started taking medication, a month or so ago, for his processing issues, which has amphetamine salt in it. I can't believe I forgot that!
He had to jump through some hoops to get them RX numbers, insurance information, doctor's contact information etc. so they could investigate and confirm that it is a prescribed medication, which he is taking as prescribed. That was resolved yesterday and he starts work on Monday!
Also, an amazing thing happened while I was gone. Sam found himself!! On a stack of plastic milk crates!
For Family Home Evening, his apartment went to the climbing gym. They had another activity there called Crate Stacking.
I would be lying if my inside voice wasn't chewing the boy out while he showed me these videos because, he's three stories up in the air, suspended by a tiny carabiner and a kid holding a climbing rope. However, the joy I felt in seeing Sam finally do something terrifying and scary despite his current level of health and depression was a glimmer of hope for me. For those few seconds of video, I saw my old Sam once again and it made me tear up.
Crate Stacking is a wonderful metaphor for our life. Everyday, we find ourselves on a milk crate. We teeter and totter on the edge of it all, we have to face our fears but keep on climbing, upward and onward.
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