I am just grateful that anyone can draw even an ounce of inspiration and/or hope from my situation! I am glad that I can provide even a modicum of help to folks here. "Journey" is the right word -- it never really ends.
Stay patient, friend. Funny - XWGF (ex-wife girlfriend) and I were driving to dinner this weekend down a road that normally is very clear with no heavy traffic. There was an event going on and the road was SLAMMED - we could barely move. She says to me "you have more patience than I do, I would have turned the car around and headed the other way". I so badly wanted to say "You have NO idea the patience that I developed!" Waiting in traffic? No problem!
Waiting in traffic? No problem!