My Supports
This assignment comes at a trying time in my life, so it is an easy one for me to answer. I was laid off in August and still have not found a job and was denied my extension on unemployment for Maryland because my last wages were earned in Washington D.C.
My Mom, my sister and my boyfriend have been a wonderful support to me. But I would think they would be. However I have five very good friends that have not left my side, like 3 others that have. My Mom is there everyday to encourage me to go and follow through with my Master's Degree, my sister is there to listen no matter what time of day it is, and my boyfriend hears my complaints everyday and takes on my sadness and does not complain. My friends are also going through very difficult life situations. One has a Mom with cancer, another with a child that has severe anxiety, two that are 5 year breast cancer survivors, and the last that went through a very difficult divorce. They all understand what life can throw at you and are there to listen and give advice. The fact that they can put what is happening on their end on "the back burner" and talk to me makes it very comforting and I do the same thing for them.
Luckily my Mom is in a good place in her life, my sister however is not. About 2 weeks after I was laid off she called with the news that she was divorcing because after 20 years of marriage her husband came out of the closet. So we have spent every day on the phone for about 1-2 hours talking and working through what we are going through. I am sorry she is going through it but we both know how life can, and excuse my language, suck. It has brought us much closer. Jeff has listened, taken my emotional stress, and tantrums like a trooper. I don't know what better supports I can have!
As far as sharing a challenge I think it would have to be someone in my family having cancer. I look at what my friends went thought and I hope I would have the same support system if that ever happened to one of my family members. I had that support when my Dad was really sick and am pretty sure I would have it now. I just need an ear to listen to and a shoulder to cry on if needed, and I know that I have it from my family and friends.
As of right now I am not sure where I would be without these supports. They have kept my head above water for the past 8 months! When I am at my lowest emotionally they come forward and walk me through it. It is true friendship and family relations that help you get through life!
I would post pictures but my computer died and I am using Jeff's I-Mac. Talk about an adjustment!
