I remember when there was a time when I craved independence, peace, and isolation. Because of life circumstances, I had to return home to live with my parents for several months (even though I had been living on my own for years). I faced many difficult times and my parents desperately wanted to help. During that time, nothing they could do would relieve my pain. I needed them to do nothing. They felt so helpless that they tried everything. There was so much tension and stress...I hated the way I reacted. I lived at my parents' house but couldn't feel at home.

I've been having problems with my blood pressure lately. My doctor wants to put me on meds. I've been weaving and bobbing for months, avoiding my doc's recommendation. At work, my blood pressure soars. At home, it is a mellow 118/78. I plead my case...stating that my hypertension is situational...only at work. My doctor counters with the very true statement that I can't avoid going to work just to keep my pressure low.

A great deal of time has passed since that dark period in my life. I've been living on my own again for the past 2 years. I had the chance to stop by my parents' home this evening for dinner. We ate delicious food and chatted for hours. There was much warmth and caring. Before I left, my mom and dad took my blood pressure for me. It came in at a reasonable 120/83. I suppose it took me a good bit of time living on my own, but it appears that my parents' house is "home" again.