Thank you, Sandi; you give me lots to chew on, as usual.
To refresh your memory, my wife works and makes more than I do. I don't mind contributing to the welfare of our children (it what I should be doing), but her leaving left me (and her) in a financial hole that we are both feeling the strain from. I'm struggling to get money together to move out of the house we shared (which will likely be foreclosed on), but something (legitimate) always comes up as soon as I sock away a few dollars to move. This was the house we shared for 15 years and I really need to be out of here, for more than just financial reasons. I cant afford a lawyer to hash this stuff out yet, but I'm holding on until I do.
Maybe "hobby' was the wrong word, but I was trying to make a point. My family was simply where I spent most of my time and energy. Perhaps I did become a bit co-dependent. But I always enjoyed spending time with my family. Many of my personal hobbies were solitary things, and I did make time for them. But my family, and doing things with them, was my favorite and most frequent thing to do. It was also my main social outlet, which was probably not the best idea in retrospect. Not having all those things (school stuff, sports stuff, going to find places to play, general messing about) has left a big hole in who I am and what I do with my time.
You're right in saying that we need people in our own circles to pal around with. As my family - and my couple of more solitary hobbies - took up so much of my time, I didn't have the energy to pursue or retain my friendships. That was my own fault, and I am working on that now where I am able. Its just that I really miss that family time, and that loss left some mighty big shoes to fill.
Thank you, as always, for your input, Sandi. It is appreciated.
