Laurie's Journal

 Happy December! There is much to unpack here as there have been some new developments in my life this past November.  Let's just say that  I will have so much more to add to I Dream of Purple Skies , my book of memoirs and poetry.  It's going to be a book that is so much more than living and coping with mental illness and how I observe our fallen world through a mentally ill lens.  It's going to be a book about recovery, redemption and coming full circle.  It's going to be a book about intrigue and healing as I have begun slowly uncovering the lies I was told growing up about mental illness and distorted images I was given about my life. This book is going to be mostly about learning to love unconditionally and learning how to forgive human foibles in order to walk into a better, brighter and healthier future no matter what your age. You will notice on my Facebook page how I use it as a cathartic tool in dealing with my mental illness with an edgy sarcasm ...

 Happy October, everyone!  I love this type of weather.  It cool just enough where you can go out with a jacket. This October is kinda exciting for me as there is the upcoming Dodge Poetry Festival this week October 17, 18 and 19.  Joan Baez will be there, and I can't wait to take a selfie with her.  She's the 1960's folk singer/poet who influenced Bob Dylan.   I am also going to visit my half brother Eric, who I found out existed on www.ancestry.com .   Last month my new niece was born September 17th,  My heart is bursting with joy over my little princess Hazel Abigail!  I bought her a sterling silver picture frame for Christmas. Well, I have to get going at writing some more poetry and prose. That's all for now! Love ya!

I don't have many early recollections of mental illness that I could put into words.  I had these profound memories of weirdness, yes, that's what I would call them.  It was like every once in a while getting a shot in the arm with a serum of misunderstood feelings that needed to be untangled later on. Before I knew about the real gravity of depression, I got depressed. I felt depressed. Before I knew the definition of derealization, I experienced it.  I felt myself observing my life in third person.  I was fascinated by my own existence, but from the outside looking in. I dissociated before my therapist explained to me about the behavior. I felt a complete disconnect, sometimes in spurts, and then other times longer.

 It's September, the month of out-with-old transitioning into in-with-the new!  I just created my new Facebook page: I Dream of Purple Skies .  I created the page to start a fan page for my new book entitled I Dream of Purple Skies: A Memoir and Poem Collection  by Laurie Jean Perrone.  I plan to publish it in September 2026.  I returned to love of poetry and performing open mic this past summer in Montclair, New Jersey, where I perform monthly on Fridays at the end of the month in a venue called The Space.  I really enjoy doing it!   I also reserved tickets to The Dodge Poetry Festival (you can Google this on Ticketmaster to reserve a seat) in Newark, New Jersey.  The event is a 3-day festival of poetry talent from October 17- October 19, 2024.  On October 19th evening I will be attending a poetry event featuring Joan Baez, the famous folk singer from the 1960's. You will see these events posted on my Facebook page. Please check ou...

 We finally moved as of February 26th!  We love our new apartment.  I 'm so much calmer than I have been in the past 3 months.  I've been taking my meds and bed more religiously.  I also (try to) read five psalms every day.  I also attend Al-Anon meetings almost every Saturday morning, and church every Sunday. I've started writing my devotional by taking notes on whatever is going on around me.  It helps when I journal.  Writing a journal helps me to write this blog.  I feel more at home when I'm writing down my observations on life Writing is in my DNA.   My husband wants me to finish my sequel to The Fire in Grace: Coming Home, my novel for teens.  I'm much less manic than I used to be.  My BPD is most definitely severe, but I 'm coping with it with daily prayers and meds.   It's a nice day to walk and journal. I think I will take advantage  of some of this Spring sunshine. Love ya!  Bye for now! xxoo...

Hey there!  I woke up this morning asking God the Father, "What do you want me to work on?"  He impressed upon me forgiveness. When you hold onto bitterness and resentment, it eats you up inside.  Forgiveness frees you, but it also frees the other person who wronged you.  People who you don't forgive allow other people to rent space in their head. In my daily devotions I asked my Father to forgive me for ignoring Him for years by not praying either for myself or others. Now I have the desire to work on forgiving myself for committing sins of my past. Well, I must dash.  I have finish my coffee and get ready for church. Love ya!

 Happy 2024, all! New year, new season, new day! I think I'm going to begin writing my devotional because I've learned so much in 2023.  In 2023, I learned to overcome my biggest bugaboo FEAR.  May 2024 be a year free from fear! In the past year our house has been sold and we have been on the hunt for a new apartment within our budget.  This is a BIG TEST for me as apartments today are priced SKY HIGH. As I write this entry, I am listening to Pastor David preach online about how God takes His time and is never in a rush because God, being in the past, present and future, knows everything is going to be more than OK.   In the meantime, I'm going to remain obedient and align myself with God's will and continue to look for our amazing apartment God already has prepared for us!  Our downstairs neighbor joined forces with us in our searches for our amazing new homes. God's presence goes out before us.   I have to admit that I have been actively pu...