I always love reading your posts. I am so glad that you are blessed with an absolutely incredible mom. What a relief for you and what a great experience your children will have. My mom is a teacher and also retired a year early (prior to BD) to help us so I could work. I will never forget the sacrifice she made to help me. I do not know where I would have been without the continued support of my family and I am glad you have that IRL. For me, family has always been the constant in my life. There is so much devastation at the thought that someone would electively choose to leave their family. (But that's a whole other topic)
I really like what you said about the online friendships you developed on these forums. Do you think that perhaps getting to know and become online friends with some of us females helped you to not so readily accept the very dogmatic views expressed on some of the forums you speak of? I know for me, it would have been so easy to become distrustful of men in general, were it not for reading and empathising with many of the male posters, yourself included (plus i have really trustworthy brothers and dad)
One of the things about life is that everything changes. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not. And even if it seems like not..there is much to be appreciated (as you so often tell me) And while I could have viewed the support I received from these boards as something temporary to get me through horrible times, I chose instead to reach out and expand that support into some real friendships that I hope will evolve even further. Snake, caterpillar? I don't really know.
Anyway. I'm happy your still here. And I am happy that you were able to share with us your sentiment and gratitude for such a unique support forum.
