Thank you so much, *Beth*, for opening up the conversation. You have a gift for making people feel they're really being heard, and understood.

I feel for you and for your friend, Mark. He has endured an awfully lonely existence, and battled against it for a long time. He must feel exhausted, and is despairing. He is very lucky to have you in his corner!

Dear wonderful Open Eyes, I am reading your post, and thinking how much we have in common. I have lost many important and amazing people in a relatively short period of time, and it was like taking hits from a professional boxer, over and over again. Add to that the fact that through my sister's (and my stepmonster's) machinations, I am separated from what remains of my small family by the mistrust they sowed on my behalf. They engaged in a long game of character assassination, and it appears to have worked. I only have three blood relatives who will even speak to me, and I think they do so with a lot of trepidation. I have been made a monster in people's eyes, the eyes I love so much. The Holidays are a minefield, with the possibility for disappointment, loneliness, and misery around every turn.

I was reminded this morning of how close we all are to potential upset (meaning I'm feeling the effects, myself): From one mis-reading of a simple Facebook comment, I was sent off into a spiral; the likes of which I haven't had in a very long time. There are just some things that can make us feel we are right up-close to the edge. I felt sick to my stomach, and very triggered. My mind started racing. Suddenly, I felt like a forlorn 15 year old, again. Thankfully, on reflection, and review, I was able to confront and sort out what it was that was getting to me, so suddenly. My stomach acid stopped churning and my brain stopped spinning.

It was a powerful reminder: We ALL have our wounds, and this time of year can make us all pretty vulnerable.

Practice kindness, wherever it's possible. Endeavor to understand. Hold doors, stay polite and patient. Sometimes, just a smile can make all the difference to someone's day.

(((Huggggs)))