Sweeping

Hubs is still here in most beloved sis's house here in Northeast Clan Central. The math of having 7 senior adults in a small 3 bedroom tract house is not quite adding up, but somehow it feels quite healing and even peaceful. Even the wheelchair bound dry drunk sister is getting out of bed to take part in the healing discussions instead of isolating herself with the curse of every breath.

Hubs and I are still spinning off into our usual tit-for-tat skirmishes, but doing quite well at recognizing the skirmishes and backing of to insert "Brackets" with each round. The "Bracketing" is a technique YS and I picked up from his court-ordered family workshops back in the 90's when he was barely a teenager. (now 33 and a father) It is a technique designed to help move family discussions beyond the business-as-usual dysfunctions by defining the disagreements well enough that we can discuss them without letting them escalate. YS and I still use "Bracketing" for our own disputes and it is working well enough to be catching on with the rest of the family. In this particular setting, bracketing is even allowing the sisters to offer their insights and distractions without upsetting the proverbial apple cart. They have been pretty awesome at helping us vent while embracing hubs as a welcome member of the family.

Prayers in progress. Hope healing happens here. May honesty and compassion meet.