P-C, that is your mother's loss. Not your brother's. I am thrilled for he and his bride to be. Kid is making his own life and choosing his own happiness not necessarily at her expense but by making his own choices. I could not be prouder of him.

We'll try to be clear that Merlin's going to be fine and offer to keep ex-not-owner up to date by e-mail with his progress.

That is a fantastic idea.

I have the best insurance broker. She just called because my policy for renters and auto was near lapsing. I'd called them a couple of weeks ago but was driving and don't have any card numbers memorized. Told them that they'd probably need to call me this time and as soon as they caught me not driving and not in a hospital room, I'd pay. They totally did. And never once made me feel bad about it.

When I just talked to her and paid and apologized for being the problem client this time, she said not to worry and they hoped my dad did really well. People who are nearly strangers can be really nice. Especially because after my initially telling them that I was in SD and away from any paperwork and my dad was ill, I've never mentioned it again to them. They just kept track for me.

Sometimes people are nice. It's nice to be reminded of it.

P-C, that is your mother's loss. Not your brother's. I am thrilled for he and his bride to be. Kid is making his own life and choosing his own happiness not necessarily at her expense but by making his own choices. I could not be prouder of him.

Yeah, they're going to try to accept that they will never ever please them ever.

Sometimes people are nice. It's nice to be reminded of it.

It is.

Yeah, they're going to try to accept that they will never ever please them ever.

Ha!

P-C, I hope your brother and his fiancee still manage to have a wonderful wedding and a very happy marriage.

Ha!

FSIL: "Those tshirts never rang truer than now. Ugh."

Which shirts? I thought initially. Then, of course, it hit me. My sister wants one, but she hasn't earned it yet.

I thought it was a helpful post, Tep. It is good for P-C to look at this as manipulation rather than reality and you shared your insight.

Teppy, you seemed fine to me.

Oh, wow, you guys. So much this weekend. Let me reiterate how awesome y'all are and how glad I am of the support there is to be had here (even for someone as charcoal-grey lurky as me).

Anyway, hugs to all who might like them, yays for those who are doing better.

From a while back, Jilli said:

2) it will make me cry and maybe I need catharsis?

A quote that I liked so much I wrote it in my journal (and I really don't journal, but that's how right-on the quote was), from an author I believe you're fond of:

I suppose a cry does us all good at times, clears the air as other rain does. - Stoker

Well, there we go, me sobbing through the middle of Lilo & Stitch was a good call, even Bram Stoker says so.

Tep, your post seemed very helpful to me. Calling someone (especially a parent) on that sort of toxic manipulation needs to be done.