Yeah, Maria just needs to trust you on this. You know your mother best and, frankly, meeting your father's other children isn't about your Mom, it's about you!

Sophia, 100% what Steph said. Also, it's your decision, not Maria's. Your mom might be hurt if you don't tell her, but you (probably) will be hurt if you do. will be > might be

ion am I the only one who can only remember which is "less than" and which is "greater than" by using the "less than 3" heart symbol?

Zenkitty, I'm going to assume that sentence ends in alligators and say no, not the only one.

yes. alligators

Alligators help with a LOT.

Pardon me, I need to emotion-dump.

I am struggling bad with depression and anxiety since I got laid off and my cat is dying and my other cat now seems to be sick also and I'll never be able to walk without pain again and I feel like I'm losing everything and I guess I really need therapy and an antidepressant and I really can't afford therapy right now and I really don't want another antidepressant that might not even work with all its inevitable fucking side effects.

I'll never get another job that pays anywhere near as well as my last one, and I am bitter about the sudden lay-off and scared that it means my impostor syndrome was right after all. I know I'm not the only one who's ever lost a job suddenly and had to find a new one. Part of the problem is, it's happened to me before: 25 years ago my life fell apart and I lost my job and my house and my car (and my girlfriend died and my boyfriend went to jail), and I had to give my cats to my mom and move in with my sister. I cannot do that again. Granted, 25 years ago I didn't have a 20-year career on my resume, but I was 25 years younger and able to live on far less than I need now. Y'all, I'm terrified.

Oh, Zen. I'm so sorry. That's a scary situation to find yourself in and it must be worse having been through such badness before. I am confident that your impostor syndrome is not right. You have skills. I know you give your cats a good home as long as you have them.

Oh Zen, I so relate. That is totally what I am scared of. All I can say is the Buffistas helped me see my value and also that I value you

Also, thanks others. I think I am ready to set a lunch date with my sister. She seems so eager. I cannot talk to my mom about this right now. I will never be ready to talk to my mom until it is a done deal, because she catastrophes upon me already catastrophising.

I'm sorry, Zen. It really is a lot from multiple directions. You really do have valuable skills and I hope you find a good option soon.

Thanks, guys. I only just now connected what I'm feeling now with what I went through back then.