[dridobits]

Jess, I think this is a good topic. I recently wrote to my step father and brother and asked for help...any help. Anything they could offer even if it was just a talk.

For me it's really hard to ask for help. I don't know if that comes from being a caretaker myself, being a woman or just my personality.

I got a note from my step father who can be super intense and not always the nicest person (I love him dearly). I was surprised to hear him say if I didn't go to him for support he would be sad and upset. That was very comforting to me.

Having others understand my situation has been up and down and across the board. Some people are really empathetic and others do not have the capacity. Others just walk away. I take everything I can get and also try really hard to be there for their problem even tho they may seem slight in relation to mine, they need help too I realized.

I am single so I talk to my dog a lot. She has been very supportive and understanding. It sounds funny but we have to do what we have to do to get support...even if that means talking to a stranger. I have friends that I've had to accept are just limited. Then there are people I just can't be around anymore like the people who think the answer to my problems is getting out and bowling.