Oh, Jl,

Your comments are always so kind and thoughtful.

I am sad because the more pressures you feel (or at least it works this way for me), the less empathetic and patient you can become. I think this is why it seems like many people are increasingly short-tempered. Fear is bad, but the incessant drip, drip, drip of feeling like resources are slipping away from all of us, is worse.

I think I have the opposite problem than loneliness. As an introvert having to deal with several different age groups and relationships--I am wiped out. I am lonely for alone time, if that makes any sense.

I have not been equal to the task of caring for my mother's body, and I feel no confidence when navigating the medical establishment. Most days I spend in a mix of limp gratitude that my immediate family is mostly healthy, mixed with fear of how I would fail at helping them if they ever did develop serious health issues.

Thank you for reading and I wish you the very best, as always. I am so sorry you had to lie in that hospital bed and feel afraid.