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!

Tom, you're more important to you than your father is. You take care of you. I'm appropriately jealous of you.

I need to find a "how to draw" class, myself. Fuck this shit.

This weekend Ben turns fifteen

Wow! Grown!

Tom, that's a shitload of stressful stuff, but I'm glad you've stuck to your boundaries w/r/t visiting your dad.

It's Friday! What are people doing this weekend?

Graduation party for a friend tomorrow night, involving massive quantities of Indian food and bourbon; Super Bowl at my mom's Sunday (mostly for the food and wine).

Apparently gluttony is the theme of my weekend.

Ben is not fifteen. Amy is a liar who lies. I know for a fact that he was JUST an elementary school student like yesterday.

ION, TOM SCOLA FUCKING ROCKS! Like, seriously! Taking the class because it is something you like and enjoy!! FUCK YEAH! I remember when I would ask you point blank what was something that you liked and you COULD NOT GIVE ME AN ANSWER!

Your dad's health is going to be complicated on a ton of levels for you and it won't get easier as he gets older and/or sicker. It is MONUMENTAL to take time for yourself and say, "Self, I want to do this. It will be good for me and I FUCKING deserve to do something I enjoy."

Bravo, sir. BRAVO!

My feelings towards my Dad are ambiguous and complicated, to say the least.

I thought of that, Tom. My father was quite ill the last eight years of his life and was really pathetic in the last two years. He made our lives a living hell for years, but once he was so sick, my mom thought she had to take care of him. I was torn between hate and pity, which is an uncomfortable combination. I really just wanted him to die, but I felt guilty about it. I haven't missed him for a moment.

Let me know if you'd like to talk with someone who thinks that "Oh, shit, I'm going to miss the class" is a perfectly understandable response.

Oh, Tom, that is SO WISE of you. You will rock the class.