Don't worry, your reply was fine.

One thing I would add to URworthy's great list is practising the daily habit of gratitude. Every night when you are in bed think of 6 things that happened that day to be grateful for - they can be quite trivial, like a nice email, a cup of coffee that tasted good, remembering that you have money for gas and food. That you are healthy, and so on.

It is a fantastic mental discipline. And as one great poster here always said if nothing comes to mind - be grateful you aren't born in worn torn countries!

It sounds a strange thing to do when your life is falling apart, but it is a wonderful way of boosting yourself.

The author of the Hero's Spouse used to post here. She is an amazing woman.