Tom, I'm sorry everything is piling up on you right now. Much peace and strength to you.

This weekend Ben turns fifteen, so there's cake baking and dinner. Other than that, house stuff, since my parents are leaving the dog with us again. They're going to see my brother graduate from the Naval War College. Very proud. (All of us, not just them.)

Then on Sunday I hear there are some snazzy new commercials on.

Rosie & Gilda won't eat wet food that has beef in it. I have to stick with the fish or poultry variations.

I'll try one of the fish flavors, and maybe nuke it a little, too. Dumb cat. I mean, BELOVED CAT.

What are people doing this weekend?

In December, I signed up for this class, which starts tomorrow. It’s perfect. There is so much I need to learn. It’s social. It willforce me to go and interact with people. I’m looking forward to it so much. Since I had been working so much on the weekends, I was worried that I might miss classes due to work. I was actually relieved a little when I was fired, because I knew my weekends would be free.

My feelings towards my Dad are ambiguous and complicated, to say the least. He is, after all, the man who emotionally abused me during my childhood. I only speak to him a few times a year. My very first thought when I got my sister’s text about the stroke was, “Oh, shit, I’m going to miss the class now.”

I feel really guilty about this, but I’m not going to visit him in the hospital. I need to take this class. I need to break free of my father’s influence, which has been weighing down on me my entire life.

P.S. Jessica totally needs to take this class.

I wouldn't feelguilty about that at all, Tom. And yay class! I would love to take a photography class.

That class sounds great, Tom. I hope it's excellent.

Tom, do what you need to do to keep yourself as mentally healthy as possible.

I haven't seen my mother or sister for two years now; I only call on special occasions. I feel better emotionally than I did when I was dutifully calling regularly and hauling myself up to their place for Christmas every year. The guilt does die down.

I need to take this class. I need to break free of my father’s influence, which has been weighing down on me my entire life.

This is totally going to come off as schmoopy and I hope it doesn't come off as condescending, but I am so very proud of you, luv. So very proud. Doing something FOR YOU is such a huge thing that a lot of people struggle with - including me. I am so glad you are taking the class and doing for YOU. So many hugs, babe. Like a million much hugs.

Good for you, Tom -- that class looks great.

Tom it sounds like going to the class is a very healthy positive thing. I hope you enjoy it!