Sad Day

(((Lil))) I'm sorry... that must have been really hard as I can see that there is so much love between them and you and they sound really concerned for you. They want you to be happy and not hurting. I know you haven't been very yourself lately and now I sense its probably because you were anticipating them leaving. Everytime my parents visit me, I get really depressed from the time they walk in the door because I know they will be leaving out the door in a few days.

You need to please them and yourself by finding that happiness. I hope that the feelings you are having just stem from the season changing but I know that it comes from your IBS too. Have you looked into some stress reducing like yoga? I haven't been in a while but I have really been thinking about going back to it. It has helped me so much and was actually recommended by my doctor for my anxiety issues but it has made me such a calmer person now. My IBS has been turning for the worse and the season is changing so I think that I will be going back to it.

I know that what I said doesn't make you feel a whole lot better and I know there is probably nothing I can say to make you feel better at a time like that. Just remember that you have a friend here for you. Email me anytime okay?

I'm so sorry lil. I've been going through a much mor eminor version of the same thing, if that helps at all , because out of my whole family, my father has developed a drinking problem, my sister has chronic pain and neurological lyme disease, and my mother looks to me and my brother to be the rock-solid happy-go-lucky guys. I know it's been extra hard for her to take my frantic, tearful phonecalls.

but i think it's better to be honest than to lie for the sake of someone's feelings usually, especially where family is concerned.


Brazil? You sure you don't just have giardia?

If that was a weak attempt at humor, sorry, I tried, and no offense was intended.

i am so sorry lil. great big freakin hugs to you!!!

i have a small stupid suggestion, since i have been gluten free, i have found "amy's organic" they make frozen foods and such, but they are really healthy and tasty. i get them on sale with some coupons. they have less sugar and sodium then other 'healthy' frozen meals. could save some time...
or i could cook up some meals and freeze them and send them.... (i totally would too, that is what is funny!!!)

you could get a 'yoga meditation' tape/cd and listen to it in the car. they have ones that won't make you fall asleep--your commute could be you 'me time'.

many yoga companies offer office yoga stuff, pricey, but your health is important. ( i like Gaiam.com)

or maybe you need to sing louder during your commute...

could you take a mini vacation?

i am a believer in yoga, and the best part is, you really only need a few minutes--honestly take five or ten minutes a day for a week and see if it helps any...

take care, i wish there was something more comforting i could offer...
hugs!!! --bunny

God bless the grandparents who feed us whatever we want when we visit, even if they have to go out and buy it special just for us, who let us lay around and be lazy when we go visit and never demand anything of us, and only sometimes ask for some help in the most pleasant way imaginable, who send us money when they hear we don't have any, even if they are on a limited budget, who look at our cars and help us fix them, even if they don't feel good or have arthritis, who give us something of theirs just because we said it looked pretty, who let us do things our parents won't let us do, who send us a letter every week through 4 years of college and 3 1/2 months in another country, who occasionally curse and laugh about it and let us do it too--occasionally....

I know how you feel, Lil. My grandmother is 81 now and not in great health. Luckily I only live 1.5 hours away from her, so I can see her more often than you can see your grandparents, but I worry about her pretty often. What will I do without my Nanny? I always ran to her when my mother was being overbearing. Nanny's house was like a place of meditation. I could work on my craft projects, eat jars of salsa and chips, have pizza for lunch AND supper, and get a trip to the convenience store to load up on some plain junk food. I didn't have to cook or clean or do anything but put my crap back in my room (yes, I had my own room at my grandmother's house) at the end of the weekend so it wouldn't be a trip hazard for her. Oh, and make up my bed most of the time. But not everyday, mind you, just when I got ready to leave.

Given that it's Vetran's Day, I propose everyone try and contact a grandparent or even an eldery aunt or uncle that you are close to, today or this weekend, and just talk to them for a while. Learn something from them about your family history or a recipe or something like that. Most all of our grandparents are the WWII generation; I read today that WWII veterans are passing away at the rate of 1,000 a day. If you figure in their wives and the men who didn't go to war, then we are losing two-three times that number of grandparents every day in America. So enjoy them and learn from them while you can.

Keri, you are right on about grandparents... Absolute and unconditional love. Once, my grandma was cleaning my room (without my permission) and she found something VERY embarassing of mine. She never brought it up and never seemed to judge me about it. She also makes me whatever goodies I want, and grandpa always fixes all my stuff, paints, gardens, etc. I really don't know what I'm going to do when they are gone (even though I only see them once a year, it will be hard to know they are not there for me anymore).
Bunny, I have to admit I HATE MOVING. I have moved 3 times in my adult life and I wish I will never have to do it again. What a hassle. I hope this new place is fabulous and treats you well.... and you stay there a while.
Take care!