When life hands you lemons add alcohol and stir!

[MichelleLT]

The answer that comes is the answer that comes. It's how you handle it that makes it positive or negative. Just because you don't get the exact answer you want right then doesn't mean the conversation wasn't successful. Just look at the times Gabe has surprised you since he came back. The conversations you've had where you were convinced he was going to bail.

Plus, avoiding the problem doesn't make it go away. Avoiding the potential conflict only postpones the inevitable confrontation. And makes it more likely it will come out negatively because in the meanwhile you have built up resentment. The earlier and more calmly you deal with the issue the more likely you are to get a positive outcome!

You DO have the skills to deal with it. You've spent years on here and in counseling to learn how to deal with it. You don't give yourself enough credit.

Being sick has you worn down and you are not in a good strong place right now I think. I think that you are letting it overwhelm you. But in a few days you will bounce back and you can fight your way towards some optimism.

Give yourself some credit. You are not the person you were 5 or 10 years ago, so there is no reason to act like you are! If anything, you have a lot of reasons to act like you aren't even if it is uncomfortable. First, you. Second, setting a good example for Marc. Third, YOU!!!!!!!!!

You can do whatever you put your mind to. Stop with the negative self-talk. Stop sabotaging your own progress!

((((((Mishka))))))