morning Lizbeth,
I’ve read your more recent posts and so many things jump to mind. And I fear sounding preachy which isn’t my intent as I have no right to preach to anyone! I can feel the kind-hearted person you are jumping from your thread. You just want to have supportive healthy relationships with your family. When it seems no one else in your family wants to “work” on repairing relationships I can feel your pain. I’m happy that your mother is wanting to spend time with you and it’s great that you are working on limits and boundaries with her so that you can spend time together. I remember hearing at a GA meeting something to the effect of “as a CG I need to lower my expectations”. Now that seems kind of sad on the face of it. But I can see when it is applied to this situation (and others in my own life) it may lessen a person’s sadness at not having things the way they see them or want them. If one lowers their expectation of family members and the kind of relationship they are capable of supporting, well that is a little sad too, but maybe not as sad as always being disappointed. Especially as we can only control the effort we put into things. I hope you have a merry holiday season. Ever think of volunteering with an organization that helps the less fortunate? It may help keep you in the Christmas spirit and out of gambling trouble! You are doing amazing Liz and we are lucky to have you here in this community. Take care of yourself Liz! Friends can be a family too. Hope you surround yourself in “new” family as your journey continues.
Laura