I'm still kind of sad to post without Betty on board. But I figure I'd be sabotaging step 12 to give in to that grief. It's real though and I'm glad of it because it reminds me I'm human. Life's pretty good again. Still studying, now working in the legal field as a part time paralegal where I have my own keys and can come and go as I please provided I keep my files in order. I bought a car 6 months ago, no longer have to handwash in the bathtub, and generally feel pretty upbeat and appreciative. My pay rate completely sucks but the knowledge can't be purchased so for today I'm content. Also, I love having an area in my life where attention to detail and perfectionism are able to be excercised. One must control the data flow with a system, it is absolute satisfaction to see bits fall into place organisation wise. The children are good. This Corona virus has everybody a bit gloomy but I'm not buying into the doom and gloom. No future holiday to a country that has a Kmart but oh well, comparitively speaking if that's my biggest gripe I'm really lucky. I appreciate us having to slow down because that's island life and it disappears with economic development ideology. So this will be interesting and oh boy does it fuel the writers imagination! Grateful as always to our fellowship; sending love and light, to the newcomer: it does get better just keep showing up.

I like your writers shed idea I saw on another post David. I have a similar idea for a meditation retreat. Somehow I think your handyman skills sees your writers retreat with better odds of eventuating! Nice to see you again.

(a41) Your progress and gratitude for changes sound so good!

Yes. I agree it's sad to think Betty's not here the way she was, and I too am filled with gratitude for what she gave.

Thank you for your reminder that this is a time to slow down. As TT says, yours is a message of hope.

(((A41))) - great to see you and love your update. It does work when we work it - all your news feels good, upbeat, positive - yay for you!

I too miss Betty and all that she willingly shared with us. I am also beyond words grateful for the example, wisdom and ESH she presented always. Feel very blessed to have shared some life and recovery with her.

One Day at a Time has been very helpful for me of late. It helps me focus on just today and what's really important. Keep coming back - you've been missed!

I've missed the understanding and presence of our board also. Had to find my peace regarding my mother or more accurately acknowledge that as always, there is no one moment of cure but rather an ongoing state of recovery! I'm smiling at myself as I write that. I suppose one of Betty's enduring legacies is that she took one of the most raw experiences of grief imaginable and used it to practice step 12 until her passing. I surely have a little something to pass on as I am today and God knows I need this programme as much as I ever did all those years ago when I first walked through the doors. <3

(((((((((((((((((A41)))))))))))))))))))) I absolutely LOVED reading this post....yea, I was in Kroger's last night, picking up my meds and I got ONE chicken to roast in my roaster....the meat guy laughed and said "I take it you are one of the calmer ones---not hoearding and going crazy" I told him that I only need ONE chicken for me, living alone, let the families get a chance at some of these delish looking birds.....you see these people hoarding...I watched a lady take ALL the unsalted butters in the box, leaving NONE for anyone else...I felt like asking her if she was gonna do a grease job on her car.....I took TWO UNsalted butters because I use a lot, but geeez people just don't think their HP is gonna provide for them, I guess.....I don't know how many butters that lady took, either she is running a homeless shelter or a boarding home, or she is a hoarder and I think it was the latter because when she saw me looking in the same case, she suddenly just grabbed and grabbed like she was gonna fight if i tried...I took my TWO butters and looked at her like she was nuts.....