This is such a heart felt pouring forth of suffering, strength, and love. I love it. I am always surprised how even on the internet like seems to find like. I imagine a lot of the folks here that are drawn to you can relate to what you have experienced. I can see myself in the teenaged girl you describe.

I am fascinated by people that have not experienced a bout of significant anxiety or something similar. How do these people do it? I envied them a lot over the years. But there is something really wonderful that comes from having gone through such trials. There is a strength from it all. We are tough as nails.

You have lived an interesting life! I write about ordinary things that happen in mine, finding little bits of sparkle in all the rocks. Your life is sparkly rocks. You are a brave person to have done all that wondering and searching, braver than I.

A lovely read. I am going to see what I can scrounge out of myself to write in response to your nomination. I don't think I am at ease with myself now, as you are. And it doesn't help that I have all these blasted hormones from weaning. Ugh. This is going to make me cry. Oh well - no pain, no gain.