Ginger, your words helped a lot. Thanks for sharing your experience. I trust what you're saying because you're further along than I am. It's so comforting to hear your daughter is ok. It sounds like she's doing great. This gives me hope for my daughter. Thanks again so much.
Coconut, it sounds like you also lost everything and had to start over completely. It's encouraging to hear your say you're feeling happy. I don't even remember that feeling! Even if I try to remember something happy it's overshadowed by my current situation which isn't happy and then I feel more upset. Regarding Zeus126's comment, yes, that's another way of saying what I was trying to say. People in developing countries are living as we did prior to the 1950's. It's like going back in time. They both need each other to survive and their values are less individual-focused and more community-focused. It appeals to me in particular because I've been financially self-sufficient since age 18. I paid for my own college and graduate school, worked extra jobs to have enough money to travel and study abroad, and then I supported my husband financially for six years until he got a paid residency program. I also lived alone, traveled around the world alone, and did everything alone. I was independent but I didn't find happiness in that. To me, the happiest time of my life was the first six years with my husband until we started having problems. Life is so much better with a partner. Just being able to share everything with someone you love is amazing. Now I have my daughter and we do everything together, but I miss my husband. I'm not sure I can be convinced that being happy alone is something I want to aim for. I can survive alone, but to me happiness is having a partner to love and who loves you in return. I'm trying to view my daughter as my family now. She's young and needs 100% care but I know when she gets older she'll help me too, so I'm thankful we can be our own small family. I just wish to give her more. Anyway, Coconut, yes I
