Rumors of my death...

[RJM62]

...have been greatly exaggerated.

Truth is, I've been trying to deal with more than the usual batch of family problems, few of which actually have anything to do with me. Nonetheless, somewhere along the line I became the guy everyone pours their heart out to.

So I've been busy, and a little burnt out. I've had to say things that people didn't want to hear, which is always loads of fun; and I've had to decide when to pull back and let others work through their own messes.

Plus, of course, I've had to try to make a living.

So to sum it up, I've been pretty busy of late. But things are starting to settle down a bit, so I thought I'd check in and see what I've been missing.

-Rich

 

[wabower]

Nothing much. Lots of people with family issues to deal with while they try to make a living. How are things going with you?

...have been greatly exaggerated.

Truth is, I've been trying to deal with more than the usual batch of family problems, few of which actually have anything to do with me. Nonetheless, somewhere along the line I became the guy everyone pours their heart out to.

So I've been busy, and a little burnt out. I've had to say things that people didn't want to hear, which is always loads of fun; and I've had to decide when to pull back and let others work through their own messes.

Plus, of course, I've had to try to make a living.

So to sum it up, I've been pretty busy of late. But things are starting to settle down a bit, so I thought I'd check in and see what I've been missing.

-Rich

 

[AuntPeggy]

...have been greatly exaggerated.

Truth is, I've been trying to deal with more than the usual batch of family problems, few of which actually have anything to do with me. Nonetheless, somewhere along the line I became the guy everyone pours their heart out to.

So I've been busy, and a little burnt out. I've had to say things that people didn't want to hear, which is always loads of fun; and I've had to decide when to pull back and let others work through their own messes.

Plus, of course, I've had to try to make a living.

So to sum it up, I've been pretty busy of late. But things are starting to settle down a bit, so I thought I'd check in and see what I've been missing.

-Rich

Sometimes it isn't a good thing to be the most reliable, strongest member of the family. The good news is that when the family needed you, you were there for them. Good luck, and hang in there.

 

[EppyGA]

Rich, good to hear from you. Hang in there buddy. Dealing with a bit of that myself. My wife is scheduled for her back surgery on the 15th for fusion of L3-L4 & L5 (L5-S1 are already fused). She has had a pretty steady down slide over the last few weeks. She can't walk without the walker right now so I've taken over a lot of the responsibilities.

Know that we're thinking about you and we hope to hear more from you soon.

 

[Dart]

Life does that to us.

I've been dealing with my 91 year old dad since New Years. He broke one of the three rules I gave him for staying at home ("Don't leave the house or you'll get lost"). His daycare worker found him walking down the street. He has dementia and can't be left alone. We are blessed by God that another family member is unemployed and we can hire them for day care at a significant savings over at-home services. Still it's a 24 hour job for my wife and I. We're both kinda cranky these days.

Hang in there, it's what family does.

 

[RJM62]

Thanks everyone.

I think the combination of the lingering recession and the long winter, plus all the other vicissitudes of life, have more people on the edge these days. I'm the kind of person who likes to help, and I'm glad people find me approachable. But sometimes it can get to be a bit much. And there's also the other risk, that of becoming an enabler of other people's problems in the name of "helping" them. So yeah, it can be stressful.

On the other hand, my dad just had a successful stent procedure and is feeling great, so that offloads a lot of the stress.

Thanks again,

-Rich

 

[AdamZ]

Good stuff to hear things are heading up.

 

[EppyGA]

Give our best to your Dad Rich. Glad to hear he had a successful procedure.

 

[SCCutler]

Rich:

I always find your stuff to be satisfying to read. I hope to meet you one fine day. Perhaps in May, when I come to NYC for my nephew's graduation...?

 

[Anthony]

Keep your chin up. You're doing great!

 

[RJM62]

Thanks.

And Spike, I'd enjoy the visit. Give me a call.

-Rich