Monday, March 16, 2009

Phone Call from Carl

Carl called yesterday. He was back at the Sanctuary where he has lived on and off for years. There are only two full-time caretakers there right now, including him, so that gives him a position of responsibility...and excellent choice of accommodations.

I told him that I liked him at the sanctuaray, by which I mean that I know he is safe. You know, warm, dry and fed. He said, "I like me here too" and then told me about the ways in which being there makes him feel good about himself and how when he is there is thinks he is in some ways a better person. When he is at the sanctuary he is taking care of himself and others.

Whenever I talk to him I always wonder how much of what he is saying is the truth. He told me that he was happy there, enjoying the solitude of the place, taking satisfaction from the work.

And that might be true.

It might also be that he is depressed, lonely, and finding it difficult to make himself do anything. Telling me that he is happy might be his way of talking himself into feeling good about it.

Either way, it was good to hear from him.

Now if I can just get David to call.

2 comments:

  1. I am glad you heard from him. He is dry and fed.

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  2. I'm glad you heard from him and that he's safe at the sanctuary. I've been to one a few times and there is something surreal and safe about them, i guess it's a good reason for the name. I still imagine myself there when I'm dealing with trains and the hustle and bustle of everyday. The environment allows people to just focus on very mundane things: cooking, gardening, etc. Being busy can sometimes make people with depression feel better. I like to polish silver when I'm really depressed (purely physical and an obvious reward)

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