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[CatLady]

It's been a tough couple of years - lost my mom (the world is very different without your mother); took care of my aunt for a year and a half before she past away; and 30 days after my aunt die, I lost my dad - the anchor of my life.  The result is I've become much more aware of how special some people are and I appreciate them all the more.  But I also no longer have the time to tolerate stupidity, greed and self-centeredness - even from family.  I come across as a gruff, nasty old lady - which sometimes I am.  But a small number of people know I am caring, generous and loving.  I have always cared for the animals people throw away.  I get great joy of providing Christmas presents for a group of children who are being raised by people other than their parents.  I enjoy each day I have for the small things.  I love to gossip, read, play computer games, my husband and my animals.  I like being country.  I'm gray haired, overweight, smoke too much and really don't give a damn what other people think of me.  I like me just fine.  And, Fuzz, I love being RETIRED!!    

[The Fuzz]

And ya know what CatLady, after meeting you at your retirement party and seeing the kind of person you are I think you deserve a happy retirement.

Sorry to hear about your personal losses and misfortunes of the past year.

Good luck, and stop throwing that retirement stuff in my face.  I am extremely envious. 

[Monique]

...really don't give a damn what other people think of me.  I like me just fine. 

That's the key to happiness, right there!

Sorry for your losses. So close together, must be very difficult. My Mom isn't gone, but after her stroke in 2006, she's not the same person at all, so it's like she's gone. Only it seems even crueler that she's 'someone else.' Very true about the world being a different place without your mother. I lost the sister I was closest to about 10 months after Mom's stroke. Those double (or triple) whammies can really take a toll. The anger stage of grief is a hard one to shake, lemme tell ya. I hate to think of how much Cap'n I consumed trying to make it go away.

Good on you for taking in the animals. Good karma.

[BigMike]

Godlike

[forever39]

CatLady & Monique, I am so sorry for your losses - you are right, the world is very different without our mothers - I lost my mom over 20 years ago & there still isn't a day goes by that I don't miss her.  She was a great mom and after I became an adult, she was the best friend I could ever have hoped for.