I'm sorry that the road to awakening had to be so painful, Fred. I'm not remotely surprised that you have a talent for helping others! We could have told you that. The compassion you have for your animals is a window into your underlying compassionate nature. 282 days is a great amount of time to make a plan for your life after retirement. Maybe also consider in the group therapy how to accept help as well as give it.
Or maybe you could just be Buffy, he'll see your amazing heart, and he'll fall in love with you.
Xander ,'Get It Done'
Goodbye and Good Riddance 2017: That'll put marzipan in your pie plate, Bingo!
Every year we watch the Charlie Brown special, do the Snoopy dance, wish everybody a Merry Thanksgivukkahmas, and thank our Secret Santas in the good riddance thread. Which is this one, in case you were wondering.
Go away, 2017. You have a lot to turn around, 2018. Bring it on.
Laura - Dec 04, 2017 4:40:12 am PST #18 of 162
Our wings are not tired.
WindSparrow - Dec 04, 2017 4:44:41 am PST #19 of 162
Love is stronger than death and harder than sorrow. Those who practice it are fierce like the light of stars traveling eons to pierce the night.
Fred, Laura said whst I was thinking. You are an amazing person.
Fred Pete - Dec 04, 2017 5:24:35 am PST #20 of 162
Ann, that's a ferret.
Maybe also consider in the group therapy how to accept help as well as give it.
That was one thing I learned. Part of the program was making a safety plan, including who we can reach out to if things get so bad again.
Zenkitty - Dec 04, 2017 5:33:44 am PST #21 of 162
Every now and then, I think I might actually be a little odd.
I'm thankful to be here too, WS, and thankful for all of you.
I tell people about your Iceland experience more often than you would imagine.
Oh cool! Let me be the warning to all - pour out a libation for the fairies; they get testy if you ignore them.
People talk about me when I'm not there... I must really exist
Fred Pete, I'm so sorry about your lost kitties and about your breakdown. Glad Coco's doing so well, though. I sympathize with the "couple weeks of "partial hospitalization" in a classroom-type group therapy setting" - I did that a few decades ago, too. It helped, and I'm glad it helped you. I echo what Laura said, we've always known what a great person you are, and now that you know it too, I look forward to seeing what you do with yourself!
Ahh, retirement. The thought that buoys me up 8 hours a day.
Jesse - Dec 04, 2017 5:47:05 am PST #22 of 162
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.
Oh Fred, I'm sorry things have been so hard for you, and hope they continue to get better.
Calli - Dec 04, 2017 9:16:59 am PST #23 of 162
I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul—Calvin and Hobbs
What a rough year, Fred. I'm glad you're finding ways through and some useful things enroute.
Vortex - Dec 06, 2017 3:48:23 pm PST #24 of 162
"Cry havoc and let slip the boobs of war!" -- Miracleman
Fred, sorry that things got so bad, happy to hear that you are doing better. We will be counting down with you!!
Connie Neil - Dec 09, 2017 1:14:47 pm PST #25 of 162
brillig
My Seekrit Santa is sent!
Strix - Dec 12, 2017 10:34:06 am PST #26 of 162
A dress should be tight enough to show you're a woman but loose enough to flee from zombies. — Ginger
And I just got it, Connie!
You got me a wee Japanese hedgie! With a tomato!
Also, a big ol' candle that is the perfect combo of woodsy & fresh.
Thank you, Connie!!
Connie Neil - Dec 12, 2017 10:40:00 am PST #27 of 162
brillig
I got one of those candles for myself.