I learned to stop worrying about what I don't have and be grateful for what I have. My husband and I have mostly been very close throughout our marriage (though my mental health issues and issues concerning raising our children nearly destroyed our marriage) and we are working together better and I feel better about my role--I don't feel codependent on how he feels to feel good about myself anymore! I am grateful that our children live with us and get to see them everyday but no longer feel responsible for their happiness. Their happiness is up to them. I try to email or call my family more than I used to. Sometimes I do better staying in touch but the boringness of the lockdown gives me less to talk about.

COVID has also made it harder to get out their amongst people our own age. I hope to some day go to the church that I have been attending online. Who knows when that will happen--it seems like a distant dream right now.

You ARE a great listener and I am grateful for your friendship. In addition to being a great listener, you are extraordinarily loyal (something I need to improve about myself) and sympathetic to all that are suffering in this world. I admire you for all the volunteer work you have done in the past (I assume COVID has shut some of these opportunities down). You are the best!!!