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Saturday, March 20, 1999
I met my friends from my previous job and it was quite interesting. We met a a pub across from where we used to work. I was worried because I felt fat and old since we saw each other a couple years ago. Well, one lady had quit drinking and went to AA and then her husband, who used to complain about her drinking, divorced her because he didn't like her sober. She promptly moved in with a guy who is now abusing her and she doesn't know what to do. I don't think she's ever lived more than a short period on her own and she is in her late 40s. Another lady's husband, who is military, just got back from a year and a half over seas, and she really doesn't like him and he's mad at her. She realized that she was quite capable and could take care of herself. They are also having problems with his child and her children from previous marriages. She really doesn't know if she wants to stay married to him so she's going through a 12 pack of beer a day. The other lady's son had a baby and she is so thrilled to be a grandmother, but the mother just moved out one day with the baby and now they only get to see her a few days a week. At least they do get to have her each week, but it's very hard on them. She's also just found out that they are closing her area at work and now she has to find another job and she is in her 50s, as I am. This is a bit of a bummer for a very sweet lady. I felt like I was in good shape which is ironic as I always felt that they looked down on me because I wasn't much of a success at life. I was divorced, a single mom (and worried about how my children would turn out), always broke, total lack of fashion sense, a slob of a housekeeper, and not very many dates or much of a social life. In the last few years I've seen both my children become independent people with lives of their own and they are showing what delightful people they are as well as being capable and responsible. I've also done quite a bit of traveling and while my social life is still a bit of a nothing, I'm quite happy, even if I am fashion challenged. I'm also still broke and not much of a housekeeper but I can put it in perspective better than I used to. After listening to everyone's tale of woe we did go to the fair and walk around. We ate the food (yummy) and looked at the stuff and enjoyed the people. It was a good day. I don't say that because I'm doing ok and they aren't because I have my problems too, but I don't feel like I am the worst off, or a real loser as I do sometimes.
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