Comments on:

By: deb

deb — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 17:35:20 +0000

Rene, anyone who is lucky enough to have you as a friend or family member already knows that this is the best gift they could receive. And I mean that. Holding you in my heart and wishing all the light of the season on you. Thank you so much for sharing this.

By: Rene'

Rene' — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 17:18:30 +0000

Deb, your words are always appreciated, and remind me that what I’m feeling is not silly. I asked my husband what he wanted for Christmas. He replied “nothing, I have everything I want – you.” This is after losing everything in our house fire this summer, made worse by animal tragedies shortly after. We haven’t replaced much except the bare necessities in clothing and linens. He asked me what I wanted, and I couldn’t think of anything. After he gave me “the look” I said, “a necklace would be nice”. I think losing it all has shown me how little we really need, and what ‘s most important. Time, love, family, close friends, a sane country (maybe not too realistic right now). But it has also impacted my ability to think of gifts for my family and friends. In fact, I’m almost frozen with panic and indecision. I don’t want to find just anything (useless material goods) so I can check the obligation to exchange gifts off my list. Preparing for days of driving to see our kids is all I can think about. So much to do, so little time to do it. I need to let go of the guilt for not being able to take care of everyone else this year. I need to take care of myself a little more this year than normal. I hope my family and friends understand.

By: deb

deb — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:46:06 +0000

I don’t know what to say except that I love you and I DO think you have a whole lot to offer. Most of that is perspective, which many of us don’t seem to want these days. I hope you continue to knock on doors until you find the one little thing that breaks through and brings your light back. It may take days or months or years, but please don’t give up on that. xoxoxo my friend!!

By: deb

deb — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:43:54 +0000

Well, I wouldn’t advocate completely checking out forever. But, this was written as a reminder to myself that sometimes the most important things I’m fighting for are right in front of me.

By: deb

deb — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:43:06 +0000

I don’t know if unplugging is the answer, either, but I know that focusing on the good in front of me is!

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:25:32 +0000

I struggle with everything these days. Cancer destroyed me. I mourn the proud/strong woman I once was. I feel so sorry for the pitiful excuse of a woman that is left. I read your words to dig into myself……I find nothing. I make meals for my babies and my wonderful husband but that’s the extent of my life. I have not spoken to another human being beyond the three of them in what seems like a decade. I have very few friends left. I cannot muster the strength it takes to covet relationships. I have nothing to offer another human being. Just talk of cancer, hospital stays, clinic appointments. No one want to hear that. Unfortunately for me, that’s all I’ve got.

By: Loretta (mom)

Loretta (mom) — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:11:02 +0000

The thing I struggle with though, is knowledge. I crave knowledge, education… I know that I could just hide myself and not acknowledge the world around me, but had I done that 15 years ago, I wouldn’t have two of my daughters… I wouldn’t be free from the prejudices and binds of the religion I thought had all the answers… I wouldn’t know your friends… I wouldn’t have my 3 groups of mama bears on line to help,and have them help me… I just don’t know if that is the answer… I struggle…

By: Loretta (mom)

Loretta (mom) — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:55:46 +0000

I’ve been thinking the same thing lately… You and Larry have got me to thinking about what I am already discouraged with… I am the type to respond almost viscerally to what I perceive as being the injustices, the wrongs, the insanities of what is going on, and want to fix it… I want to shout the truth to the rooftops, make what is wrong right… And I can’t… And it hurts me more… I was (maybe still am) at that point of depression, of sinking lower… I don’t know if unplugging social media will make it better, because I love all the heartwarming stories about good life, funny puppies, but that’s not all it does…