You made me smile
@Alice.in.Wonderland! And yes, my dog and cat are both...
One more thing
@lostforgottensoul and then I have to go to bed.
I never missed less then fifty days a year in grade school. A counselor told me that right before saying I was wasting space. I never went to high school, I was too busy getting high. I was on my own at 16, had my first child at 18 and moved from one abusive relationship to another. At 42 I tried to take my life AGAIN. I had a therapist who asked me what I thought of going back to school. I said that would be wonderful BUT... she stopped me and said, no buts, do you want to go back to school?
I had at some point in the past had gotten my GED and passed by the skin of my teeth. We are talking scores in the 50s.
I started Community College two months after I got out of the hospital. 10 days before school started I had to have my gall bladder out. I still went. I went part time, went to therapy and looked for a job. No one would hire me. Not even Wawa. Finally I got hired at Kmart for the Christmas season. I was so tired I was nodding out in class. Still, I went. Two years in, I was a student hire at a government job. It was not to go beyond two years and only be part time.
My first paycheck I moved out into my own apartment. It was on the second floor, and I had to sit at the top of the stairs to drink my coffee. I worked my ass off, always offering to do more, never complaining and still going to school. I started internet dating. I met the man who would be my husband.
I got hired full time at the job and in 8 years I went from a student hire to getting a job as an office manager in a new city. I was received a National Award for administrative excellence. I got my Associates Degree with a 3.49 GPA. My new love treated me with respect and we traveled. We went to NYC and did all the tours and I saw Broadway shows. We would drive in October and talk or listen to music, just drive until we found the mountains full of autumn color. We cooked together, music playing and swaying to music as we shared a bottle of wine. He took me to Disney World though he had no interest. Vegas, The Grand Canyon, Meir Woods, Sequoia National Park, San Francisco, tours to Israel, Italy and France.
Then he retired and slowly started to change, the office manager job was in a new city and the people there were totally toxic. He declined and was no longer the man I fell in love with. I didn't want to go to work and I didn't want to go home. He got a bruise one day and two weeks later I had to decide to take him off the machines. He was still breathing on his own and it takes time when the kidneys stop working. 5 days actually. I stayed with him the whole time and took over most of his hospice care. The ass kicking started that year. Actually the year before when I first changed jobs. My ass is still being kicked. But I chose to go back to work after being out for 6 months. I went to a different office and took a demotion. The commute is 2 hours each way.
But damn we had a good run! Beyond my wildest dreams!
And then it was all gone and Hell returned. I'm 58 and my bounce-back ability has lost some spring.
I choose not to give up. I still have a job and I plan on heading to D.C. lots of government jobs there. I choose to go where the work is. I will get a promotion too! I will also go back to school and get my Bachelor's Degree. I choose.
So yes
@lostforgottensoul - Our choices do make a difference.
Sorry for going on so long but I really want you to know, life has some great plans for you. Grab them and treasure them. Choose!:hug:
