Now while the individuals I share a section of duplexes with are rather quirky, they're not who I'm talking about. One street over, however, reside numerous mentally ill people. And they're weird. They dress weird, say weird things, and walk the streets in a, well... weird fashion. And since we live in such close proximity, they find it perfectly normal to walk right through my yard, say hello as they pass, and greet my dog whom they know by name.
Now for the normal person, this might be a little frightening, because schizophrenia can be downright creepy. But since I've had the privilege of taking many courses on psychology, and working with the mentally ill in the past, I recognize that there is really very little to fear. Just a few moments ago, in fact, I heard a knock at the door. I opened the door and greeted one of my weird neighbors who frequents my yard. She had disheveled hair, 3 protruding teeth, sagging skin, and random attire. She announced that she's pregnant with twins due in June! Though she is obviously showing no sign of such a progressed gestation, I congratulated her and complimented the name choices she shared with me. I called the dog over to greet our neighbor, and she was happy to pet her head. We finished our small conversation, and she was on her way.
As my weird neighbor left, my heart was heavy. I wondered how many people on a daily basis do not give this woman the decency of a smile and a small conversation. I wondered if her family still visited her, if she even knew she had any family at this point. I wondered what she was like before she became mentally ill. I paused for a moment and prayed for her, for her safety, happiness, and relationship with God. I prayed that somewhere deep down, God would draw her to love and trust Him in the tiniest parts of her sanity. I dreamed and pictured her one day standing before God, whole in her mind, and praising Him.
Then I sat down at my computer and began to write, and here we are.
Mental illness is not pretty. It's raw and isolating and tearful and terrifying. Be kind and patient to those around you experiencing mental illness. They're not crazy, they're sick.
Believe me, I know.
Because I am one of them.
~ Tarah
