Hi Peter, Thanks for starting this discussion. I am doing okay.
Had a very interesting experiences last week. I had some paint work done in my house for two days. A middle aged woman and a 33 year old man did it. They were very accomodating and friendly. The woman worked around the fact that I napped in the afternoon. Didn't paint at that time. The man told me he had a very rough life. His father was an alcoholic. He, himself, drank quite a bit at the age of 21. Had a very good business going. Then his Opa (grandfather) died who basically brought him up. His girlfriend committed suicide. So he became an alcoholic at age of 27 years old. Lost his business. Now he is starting to straighten out. Has gone back to his religion. Feels like he is scum and God is trying to punish him. I told him he wasn't scum and a very good person. I didn't know whether to open up to him about my mental illness -bipolar but I did. He was so understanding. We had very good conversations. I also spoke a lot to the woman painter. I realized from the way she talked she was lonely. On her own.
On the second day of the painting in the early morning my furnace of 53 years gave out. The man who was painting phoned one of his contacts and his friend the owner of a company that serviced and installed furnaces. In the end I had to replace my furnace. In the course of having my furnace put in I met 4 people working to put it in. These men were so honest, friendly and respectful. They did not gouge me on the price and labor of the furnace. The owner felt so bad that I had to put that money out. He kept apolozing and I said don't apologize. He told me I was very easy to work for. I told him I appreciated how quickly they put the furnace in. He didn't think it was a big deal about the work he did. I said no way. Not everyone can do your job.
I was quite panicked sometimes about having these people in my house. Little did I know that these experiences were going to be so important to me. I think I am finally starting to like the person I am. Somewhat.
As some of you know my son is living with me due to his separation and has his two kids on certain days. My son has now bought a place and will be moving out soon. I will miss him. He is very loving and respectful of me and the kids are good kids. It is a drain on me though. I think it is good he is moving on. I know I will see lots of him and the kids anyway.
Feel I have gained much more confidence since my husband died almost 5 years ago. Hope I am not sounding like a goody, goodly. Sorry I am so long winded.
Sorry that some of you are having such struggles. Believe I still have those off days.
Dragonfly