If we can hold on through the night
We have a chance to find the sunshine
Let’s keep on lookin’ for the light
Oh, can’t you see the morning after
It’s waiting right outside the storm
Why don’t we cross the bridge together
And find a place that’s safe and warm
It’s not too late, we should be giving
Only with love can we climb
It’s not too late, not while we’re living
Let’s put our hands out in time
There’s got to be a morning after
We’re moving closer to the shore
I know we’ll be there by tomorrow
And we’ll escape the darkness
We won’t be searchin’ any more
There’s got to be a morning after
(There’s got to be a morning after)
There’s got to be a morning after
(There’s got to be a morning after)
There’s got to be a morning after
(There’s got to be a morning after)
There’s got to be a morning after
(There’s got to be a morning after)
There’s got to be a morning after
MAUREEN MCGOVERN
Scottie's Playtime 
I hope you are feeling better today.
I’m not much into “inspirational” songs, but this is definitely one of the better ones as it’s about hope and optimism. Definitely better than many that seem to shout out “look how great I am in the face of adversity” such as I did it my way
🙇
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Hi Barry. Thank you. I am fluctuating today. I keep thinking I am stronger and better and then read more abuse of kids in the Gaza. Do you follow Sci-Fi like Star Trek, where the ships have force shields to protect themselves? I am like one of those ships. I start out with shields or trying to strengthen my shields, and every hit I take, either from my own memories or from the world around me rips more of my shields away. Barry at some point my shield strength reaches the point where it can not protect me. And then I am almost helpless from the onslaught of personal memories.
I know you have been abused due to your autism. And I try to be careful not to trigger things for you. The things you have told me about being done to children like you, to autistic children is no doubt flat out child abuse! Period. Just because a child is different, just because a child struggles to fit into a social situation, doesn’t in any way give adults permission to abuse / punish that child.
Sorry, what I am trying to say is thank you, and I hope I did not hurt you either.
On the song, the phrase, “There’s got to be a morning after”, is what I was clinging to. I just really seriously need to get to the morning after to save my self, to save my sanity. I knew there was a morning out there, I just had to find it. Best wishes. Scottie
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Perhaps I’m fortunate in that as I have alexithymia I am less aware of my emotions than most people. and I don’t dream. I may have dreamt before I reached puberty, but since then I have no awareness of any form of dream. Besides, the really violent episodes were isolated. My family was loving and did their best to protect me. Most of the bullying by my peers and teachers (and strangers if they noticed my autistic traits) didn’t include physical violence or threats of violence. It was mostly in the form of ridiculing my traits, taking advantage of my lack of social skills and “othering” – treating me as being less than fully human and isolating me from social interaction.
Your Shield analogy makes a lot of sense to me (I was a fan of the original series, 1966 – 1968) and is somewhat similar to the one I’m more familiar with which is known as the Spoon theory
The Spoon Theory is a metaphor used to explain the limited amount of energy that people with chronic illnesses or disabilities have to expend on work, family, socialising, housework, and interests. It was developed by Christine Miserandino to explain her chronic illness, but it was adopted by the autistic community to explain the similar energy limitations that autistic people face¹. Autistic people often experience burnout and fatigue. The Spoon Theory encourages people with autism to think of their energy in terms of a limited number of spoons. Conceiving of energy in this way can help autistic people stop themselves from taking on too much. Being realistic about their energy and deliberate in how they use it can help autistic people avoid fatigue¹.
¹: Psychology Today
Source: Conversation with Bing, 11/15/2023
(1) What Is the “Spoons Theory” of Autism? | Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/women-autism-spectrum-disorder/202211/what-is-the-spoons-theory-autism.
(2) What Is the “Spoons Theory” of Autism? | Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/women-autism-spectrum-disorder/202211/what-is-the-spoons-theory-autism.
(3) Neurodivergent Spoon Theory. https://neurodivergentinsights.com/blog/the-neurodivergent-spoon-drawer-spoon-theory-for-adhders-and-autists.
(4) Spoon Theory & Autism | EdPsychEd. https://www.edpsyched.co.uk/blog/autism-spoon-theory.
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Hi Scottie;
There was a time when I was at a very low point. At that time I’d lost a job I really enjoyed and was now working what could best be described as drudgery. What was very special for me though was out on the back truck docks I would sit and watch the sun come up. The birds were just waking up, and with them the world. That was a beautiful moment for me as I realized I’d made it through another night. I saw it as a victory, and those brief moments I could hold in my mind and heart to make it through another day.
Even though I grew up on the sunset coast of Michigan, I’ve since been enamored with a morning’s new beginning. It is indeed darkest before the dawn, as well as coldest and loneliest. But, I’d made it through hoping on that promise of a new day, and though things have improved for me that bit of hope and peace remains priceless. Yesterday is gone, and I stood on that dock looking out at the precipice of a new day, and I had hope.
May you never forget that the darkness is but an illusion, the darkness seeking to hide the beauty that the morning sun soon reveals. And failing that, I do have a phone knucklehead! 😉
Hugs and Loves
randy
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Thank you Randy. Oh I love you. And I agree when the morning comes or I can finally refocus my mind, it is so much better than the darkness. A lot of my sexual abuse took place at night or in darker places. It took Ron a while to understand why I have so many bright nightlights around the house. He now understands my need to not be in the dark, especially in the dark alone. As for you having a phone, dear Randy the hours you work, the stress you have, the last thing you need, and I think it would be cruel of me, to call you up and deprive you of your small amount of rest you manage to grab. Loves and hugs. Scottie
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