I thought your post was a good length (I guess I have to say that, being the queen of the long posts myself!)
I like that you're thinking of coming out of the dark- I think it's getting to time when you need to start showing B your changes and re-establish your friendship (IMHO I think waiting 8-9 months might be going too long). I hadn't realised you'd said to B that you'd contact him when you were ready actually- that makes me even more convinced that it's time to do something different- contact!
One thing that worried me a little about sending the gift first off though, is that you posted a while ago that you weren't sure if B is still living in the same place. Would you send the gift to his home/other address?
I guess I would be worried that if you sent something and got no response it might reflect him not getting the gift rather than actually not responding. It makes me inclined to go with Essie's suggestion of an alternative contact method to begin with- maybe an e-mail or text. I know you haven't been too keen on that idea in the past but just wanted to throw it out again just in case!
I'm so happy for you about getting into the music festival. That's fantastic news!!
(((T)))
PS. Essie- I liked your questions. I'd have asked them if you hadn't! PPS. Hope I haven't been too direct T!
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart. And you'll never walk alone.
