I'm sending big, warm hugs and whuffles. Hang in there.

Be gentle with yourself. That's an enormous amount to deal with, even if you don't consciously recognize that. *hugs*

Thinking of you...

*hug* Hang in there, lleachie!

*soft, enveloping hugs, sent your way*

*whuffles*

(((lleachie)))

*hugs* and *whuffles*

nice big warm hug for lleachie

Awww, lleachie, I just read the post you made this morning about what you had to do today, or had already done, and was thinking you're working a bit hard. (Had no idea about your mother passing away, sorry!)

Yes, have a good cry, let it all out--you'll feel much better. And don't worry about the work; we know you'll get through it.

*hugs* lots of 'em. Heading your way.

Thanks all for the hugs -- they really do help! I can feel the whuffiness!

Mom passed away in December, so it's not THAT recent, but I really haven't cried about it yet. Nor did I take any time off, as it happened during Christmas.

I think at least two of the other stressors that might have contributed are:

1) I came out as a childhood sexual abuse survivor for our student paper, because they were writing an article about the value of college support systems for that sort of thing. I mean, it's 30 years and a lot of therapy later, but it's still a bit stressful.

2) One of my former students last week confided in me that he was housing a friend of his who, it turned out, was wanted for murder. I didn't believe the guy at first (he tells some tall tales, let's say) until I read about his friend in the newspaper the next day. So I wondered if I was going to get a call from the cops and whether it was ethical to report this confidence, until I found out the friend turned himself in and was held on bond.

I can't wait till this semester is over! I get a week's break before summer classes -- and that's not nearly as strenuous.

It sounds as if you've had a lot on your plate lately. Don't be too hard on yourself, and take some time to do some things that make you feel good.

Not to dismiss the emotional basis for your feelings, but how's your potassium level? When mine gets low I get weepy. I don't think it's a huge problem for most people but it hits me pretty hard. I take diuretics (which is cause of my low potassium), and now I take a potassium supplement too. It helps quite a bit and very quickly too (within a day). Go eat a banana or 2 and see if you feel better.

Sending lots of good thoughts your way. Be patient with yourself and any way you are dealing with your mom's death is appropriate. But make sure you are gentle with yourself with all the stresses you have. If you have the ability to take long hot bubble baths, do so, it really helps (I don't, but did when I could).

Hugs.

More hugs to you.

When I read this, I wondered if I had written and posted it. My Mom died in December, and I was sad, and the funeral made it real, etc. But it didn't hit me hard. I've been logy and physically depressed the last couple months, but couldn't pin it down. Then I had some realizations about my Mom, cried a bit, thought long and hard, and have felt better. Grief can't be hurried; it came out the way it had to and my brain's been busy processing. Sending you good thoughts.

Long, strong hugs coming your way. I wish I could sit beside you and listen, and make funny jokes and make you laugh.

gosh lleachie that is a lot to bear at one time. Do look after yourself, and go with the grief when it arises. I'm sorry for you and for theora55 for losing your moms. One day / hour / week / whatever works at a time. :)

Reading the thread late.

That's a lot to handle, lleachie. I hope you're feeling better. Not too long ago I discussed some damaging things in therapy and I swear I was wiped out for weeks, and that was just one thing. Hugs, lleachie.

*Hugs again, lleachie*

Thanks for the good energy. I have some more energy today; I think some of that stuff was stressing me more than I thought.

I did blow off a faculty meeting yesterday; I was so tired by 3 PM I was sick; they proceeded just fine without me.

Thanks again!