I know in my case, I had shut off so many things around me because they were different or I was "too old" to do those things or I couldn't b/c M'd people didn't do those things. Well, I have reacquainted myself through this awful process with what it means to be alive. And I don't ever plan on leaving that again.
Good for you! Well put. Once again, you give me food for thought - and inspiration.
Gardener
"My soul, be satisfied with flowers, With fruit, with weeds even; but gather them In the one garden you may call your own." Cyrano deBergerac