Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group
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Good Morning, Friends! I am living in a "Senior Affordable Living Community" at Sailboat Bend in Ft. Lauderdale. It is on Riverwalk at the Southeast bend of the 7th Avenue Bridge. Our building was completely renovated before we moved in four years ago, so everything is new and in good condition. On the north side of our building we have a circular vegetable garden where we grow collard greens, tomatoes, peppers, cauliflower, and other delightful veggies and herbs. There are cooking grills and gazebos for having outdoor get-togethers, and an indoor Community Room for celebrations on Holidays. We have a gym, and a comfortable media lounge.
There are 115 units, Studios like mine, and one-bedrooms. Most of my neighbors are Black and Hispanic, only a handful of us are caucasian. But we all get along so well! I feel that I have the best neighbors in the world! I have received the most beautiful and thoughtful Birthday and Christmas gifts from the ladies, which touches my heart- because we are all on the bottom of the economic ladder! Yet we are so rich in spirit we lack for nothing. I wish our Community could be a microcosm for the rest of society! No prejudice- no hatred- just compassion and caring for each other's needs.
My own Studio has this breathtaking view of the sky and the River! I hope to be here until I die! Many of my neighbors have died since I moved in here in 2015, and I see many neighbors "fading" day by day, so it brings death closer than in general society. But there is no fear. As a Buddhist, I am comfortable with death. I know it is part of life- a continuation of the lifeforce. Waves returning to the Sea of Love. But realizing this makes me value each day more.
There were times when I was suicidal all the time. My life was so painful, so dark. Now I realize that if you only hold on, if you only summon the faith, the hope, the courage, and the strength to endure, the darkness will subside. I say this to encourage all those who are suffering. Be patient. Persevere. Trust yourself. Trust life. Believe that everything will be all right. Believe.
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I feel so dirty and used I was drunk and passed out at a party when I came around some guy was on top of me rapeing me he covered my mouth and told me to shut up afterwards he got up and got dressed and said I better not tell anyone I found my friend and reported that I had been raped after having medical checks and them getting DNA I've taken the morning after pill IAM just so depressed and...
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Upon his departure, he remarked, "I am in many people’s pockets; no one will believe you." Have you ever grappled with the silence that follows sexual assault, where the perceived impossibility of being believed necessitates self-censorship?
***Grabs all of the broccoli and bell peppers and runs for I-95 to get back to Pennsylvania.***
People are people. I grew up in a very mixed income area, and I am living now in a similar mixed income area.
My gratitude thread morphed into talking about poverty. But what IS poverty? I live near the Amish, many of whom are millionaires, and live without indoor plumbing or running water. Virtually all end their formal education at 8th grade, yet some run million dollar businesses.
Growing up, some of the happiest people I knew, had a net worth of perhaps a few thousand dollars, and others had millions.
I think Jefferson and co had it right when they wrote that it's a "pursuit" of happiness. For some it may be a walk in the park to get there, and for others of us it may be more like an Iron Man obstacle course.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg-Qdrr3XSk
I think part of it must be for me that I'm taking early retirement at 62 and voluntarily cutting my Social Security portion of retirement rather than going on to full retirement at what is 66 for me. Adjusting to that voluntary reduction in total retirement income for me is why I'm in Mexico right now looking at retirement conditions and costs.
They look good, which is great because I turn 61 next week, and there's only a year more before I turn 62. That's about as far as I can go health wise, and I don't want to apply for disability. My grandfather cheated the disability system claiming false disability benefits at 62, and though that's on him, it left a bad taste in my mouth.
I'm so glad you're in such a fantastic place, both in terms of the retirement community itself, and in terms of being on the coast. I'll be up in the Mexican mountains, 7,000 feet up above sea level, higher by far than Denver, and it's nice up here, too.
That's so providential that you happened to be in the right place in the right time on the right person's couch with internet to apply instantly when you'r place came up. I'm hoping I'm in the right place at the right time thinking about this Mexico move all on my own in 2 years.
This is Mexico's cheapest town to live in, the cost of living's about half of what it is in my town in the States. I'm thinking I'm going about this the right way. Sure hope it goes like your move did. You're so happy where you are. It's just great. I'm hoping for that for me, too.