Being Supportive

Being supportive? What does that really mean? If your spouse is bi-polar, how do you keep on supporting every idea that they come up with? How can you tell if it is just a manic phase or if this time maybe he really will do what he dreams. You want so much to see him succeed, because you know the potential that lies inside of him, but this stupid disease holds him back. Binds him like a chain that he can get rid of and because you are his wife, the chain binds you too. You know that sometimes you say things out of frustration that you shouldn't say, but you just want him to get better and start living. You get so angry, not at him but at the bi-polar that holds him captive. And then when he blames you, for holding him back, it is almost too much to bear. You know all that you put up with, and all that you do to protect him from himself and from others, but still you are an easy target for him to lash out at as he tries to make since of his life. It is hard for him to blame the disorder, that is not concrete enough for him to hang onto, so it is you that he has chosen as his scape goat. And even though it would be easy to walk away and let him see for himself all that you do for him, you stay because you love him. And only you can truly love him, because only you understand him.