Introduction

[HenryX]

Hello @Oaktree 

I am more than happy and delighted that you feel as though your discussion was helpful and a good re-introduction to where you hope to go.

It sounds as if you felt that what you were saying was not just heard, but more importantly, listened to. From your comments about discussion with your daughter, you must have touched on some recent events, and that you felt that was also worthwhile.

I understand hesitancy on the part of the psychologist about prospects for future discussions. On the one side they would not want to set up, what might amount to be, unrealistic expectations, and on the other, not want to set the bar lower than what you might be able to achieve. But you are really in control of all that.

I like the idea of setting out a “road-map” of possible directions. Also that you and they will be talking about theory or process. Those last words sound a bit clinical, but it is really just part of the “road-map”.

You may have seen me refer before to “the honour and privilege of being invited into someone else's personal space.” So Meggle, I thank you for allowing me that honour and privilege.

With My Very Best Wishes

@HenryX 

[Oaktree]

Hi @HenryX 

Thank you for coming on this journey with me.

It is because of some of the discussions that I had with you that I got the courage not to chicken out of the trauma therapy. You have been very encouraging. I don't want to regret not doing it sooner down the track so the only option I really have is to go through with it now. I am sure it won't be as bad as I imagine although I am sure that there will be plenty of tears along the way. My psychologist seems good at making me cry although not today. Today she was true to her word and went easy on me. Thanks for being you Henry - you are a good friend x

Meggle

[Oaktree]

Hi @HenryX 

So I have decided to go back to choir practice for the first time since December tonight. Last time I went I was super sick with a manic episode. I feel really awkward about going back as I am not sure what people thought. The old choir conductor is coming tonight only so I really wanted to go just to see her as I missed the concert in December due to being in hospital so I never got a chance to say goodbye. 
How are you doing? Did you hear from your daughter?

Meggle

[HenryX]

Hello @Oaktree 

You have taken some steps recently, about which you have been concerned and anxious. The last one seemed to go well, so I hope this evening will also be very pleasant for you and the other members in greeting you. As an outsider 'looking in', I believe that you will be well received, and it will probably make the evening even better than it would have been otherwise.

Do you have to travel far for the choir practice?

I have not heard yet from my daughter. However, if I hear nothing by the end of the week, I will contact her, and see if we can arrange for her and son to come up.

I may have mentioned that I have been speaking with a counsellor, with whom I have felt a good sense of connection. We have touched on some 'sensitive' issues and I believe there will be more to come. It's interesting when we realise that everyone else's life was not like our own. I suppose I could 'own' that statement by saying “my life....etc” couldn't I? The lady with whom I am speaking comes to the town where I live, on a regular rotation, so it has been very good for me, in that regard.

Today I have been working through something of a review and projection exercise, partly in response to LostAngel's thread on “life Goals”. Now it is just a matter of putting the plan into action.

Last week a friend helped me get most of the fence up. We will complete the job Wed – Friday this week. At this stage the yard is secure, but we still have to break up some old concrete on three post locations to finish the three remaining panels and gate. It has been good working with someone with whom I feel comfortable. I think that my friend feels the same way.

It is very pleasant to hear from you. I hope you will enjoy the evening as much as I believe and hope that you will. My singing is tomorrow night and at the Residential Care Centre on Thursday morning. I also enjoy both of those activities.

Best Wishes

@HenryX 

[Oaktree]

@HenryX 

I very much enjoyed choir practice and it was just like old times with our old conductor leading the practice. Next week a new conductor that has tried out for the job takes over. I needn't have been anxious as I was welcomed back with open arms with many people saying that they had missed me so that was nice.

I do hope that you connect with your daughter soon and I am glad that you are making some positive headway with your counseling. I see my psychologist again this Thursday afternoon. I couldn't possibly be more anxious about that as I was last week. My choir practice is in the city which is about a half hour ride on the train. I am on my way home now. Just boarded the train. I am glad that you have gotten your fence mostly fixed. Our back fence is leaning and about to blow over which is a great source of stress at the moment especially with all this windy weather we have been having lately. Nice hearing from you.

Meggle

[HenryX]

Hello @Oaktree 

As you can imagine, I am really delighted that the choir members welcomed you as I had truly hoped. So the second mountain top accomplished. They may not all be as pleasant, but hopefully, the triumph of accomplishment will outweigh any difficulties and help prepare for any future peaks.

Thank you for your consideration with regard to my eldest daughter. If everything goes well, I will be able to take further steps with regard to the other children. One step at a time.

I am pleased, though with trepidation, about counselling. However, as I said to the counsellor, last week, I really need to deal with these issues, for similar reasons to the ones that you have expressed. The only other direction is neither appealing nor pleasant. That's the softest way that I can put it. If I am going to pass positives on and not negatives, I need to deal with what is so constantly unsettling for me in my space. Likewise, I am pleased that you have dealt with that initial barrier, and neither of us expect it to be easy. However, although our contact is via the forum, I believe that we can still encourage each other, if/when the going gets tough.

We've had unusually unsettled weather and lots of rain. Here the extra rain is likely, without future severe hail, frost or driving rain, to be a good season. Down South, there has been too much rain and storms, so not so fortunate.

Fences do give us a sense of security, even in good neigbourhoods. I hope you can deal with yours soon.

You'll probably be home or soon so. Best wishes for your evening and so pleased that things have gone well for you

With My Best Wishes

@HenryX 

[Oaktree]

@HenryX 

I would love to offer you support re your counseling when times get tough as they no doubt will. No pain no gain right? Please reach out for my support if and when you need it. Counseling is tough to work through but I think it will be worth it for both of us in the long run. Be brave my friend x

Meggle

[HenryX]

Thank you very much @Oaktree 

Best Wishes and

Goodnight

@HenryX 

[Oaktree]

Goodnight @HenryX 

Meggle

[HenryX]

Hello @Oaktree 

I received a call this evening (night) from my daughter. She and her son will be coming to catch-up on about the 8 or 9 Sept. I am really pleased that she contacted me because our last contact was, as I think I had mentioned to you, nearly two months ago, when she was thinking of coming here. I was concerned that "a spanner may have somehow, been thrown in the works." However, it seems that everything is ok. D has taken on a new position with some settling in, so I think that may have been part of the issue. She sounded quite positive. So, I will be looking forward to their visit for the next few weeks.

While I didn't want to shout about it on the open forum, my birthday anniversary is the same as that of you husband. I noticed on another thread. So I think you would be aware of what her call means to me.

General wishes for cakes and wonderful times with family and friends really don't fit in with the way that my birthday is celebrated, which is why I prefer to keep it low key. However, I hope that I may, in my imagination, share and enjoy a cinnamon scroll and hot drink with you and your family.

I also received a call from a wonderful friend of nearly 30 years. We met through work when I was in Geraldton, and she was in Perth. Because we were both looking after clients in the same way, we established a very good working relationship by phone, eventually met, and have been really good friends since then. She and her sister now live about 1 1/2 hrs from me and I go over for lunch about each 4 - 6 weeks.

My brother also called me this morning. This is our normal custom, so we have contact, normally a phone call for birthdays and Christmas. He and his wife are travelling, currently at Alice Springs. Trying to avoid restrictions in the areas that they visit.

So, I just wanted to share the fact that D had phoned and we have a catch-up to which we can look forward.

With My Very Best Wishes

@HenryX