T:  Good morning, Nan.

N: Is it?  Morning, I mean. I know it’s not good.

T:  Sigh.

N:  Buckle up, I need you.

T: Last session you said Trump was an archetype, and that’s why he had so much power to  make so many folks stressed and depressed?

N:  It would be the Outlaw archetype, and survivors of childhood abuse would be most susceptible to his actions.

T:  And there’s no one to “yell and tell” to?

N:  No, but  I can’t talk about this too long without getting more upset.  It’s the helplessness and his manipulations, and his malignant power.

T: Okay, let’s focus on you.  What do you need to do, for you, now?

N: (Grin)  Funny you should ask.

T: Keep your sense of humor.  That’s good.  And…?

N:  A list of support people posted by the phone, to  call.

T:  But you know they’re in the same boat and you don’t want to lean on them, or complain.

N: That’s why I have you.

T: Down to the nitty gritty–what can you do?

N:  Well…get centered, I guess.

T:  You guess?

N:  I know…it’s hard to take care of myself because I wasn’t taken care of…

T: So you want to remain the needy child even when that’s–

N:  Silly. Stupid. Self-defeating. …It’ll feel lonely, tho.

T: Hogwash.  What else?

N: Inside I’m hearing Steve Zarate’s song about community tv…”You can do it too, you can do what i’m doing, you can put your message on community tv.”  But community tv died in my town…”believe in what you’re saying and your creativity.”

T: Can  you be creative during this plague?

N: I’m sure having trouble. And my judgment is off.  It all seems unreal.

T: Back to taking care of you.

N: I rescued a soft little panda bear from the dumpster.  It wasn’t dirty and it was so soft…

T: Does it love you?

N: Yes! How did you know!

T: Just a guess…So trying to be creative is another way of taking care of you…You don’t want to be a dropout from life.

N:  No, but they’re not reporting suicide rates…

T: Could starting on a task you accomplish a little bit on every day help?

N:…So at the end of the day I could say I accomplished something?…That might help, in a first grade sort of way…But I still don’t think I’ll outlive this catastrophe.

T: Could supporting your children count for something?  They’re as scared as you.

N:  Yes…I can share a little of the warmth I have left in my heart.  Thanks.

T:  Any time.

[Me = Nan and T = therapist]

Me: I can’t get anything done and I sleep too much. My day just dampens away.

T: Dampens?

Me: Oh you know–just shrivels away.  My son calls and I’ve nothing to report.

T: You feel …helpless?

Me: Yeah, helpless, I guess.  I’m straining at my chains but…

T: Chains?

Me:  I’m caught, like a fish on a hook.

T: Who’s the fisherman?

Me:   Uh….Trump and his minions.

T:  What’s he done–doing?

Me:  He’s broken into the house to burgle, and left his s*** in the living room.

T:  What’s he taking?

Me: Hope.

T:  Too bad you don’t have someone to pray to.

Me:  Hey! You’re supposed to help me!

T:  I’m here to listen…and to encourage you to help yourself.

Me: He might be dumb but he’s clever….How is that possible?

T:  He has enablers?

Me:  Boy does he!…Sigh.

T:  …What are those tears saying?

Me: The daily news is like brain washing…

T: What was the brain like before being washed?

Me: Energized…hopeful,,,creative…productive.

T:  Well–there’s Cuomo.

Me: Yeah–but he’s given the children to Bill Gates.

T:  Time’s up, give me a hug.

Me: We have to put our masks back on first.

T:  Tomorrow, same time…

Image: Unsplash