All I can say is ... "bucking the gene pool" has probably been a BIG part of the lives of many of us.

I understand only too well.

In some situations, some of us can really be like tuning forks -- the vibration (anxiety) of another -- particularly a close family member -- can just start us up and humming.

I wish you peace, health, and strength.

I echo the above.

Crawling out of the gene pool has been huge for me. I'd get out entirely if the darn DNA wasn't attached.

Gentle support!

Do I get to crawl out of my genes? Send me that link asap, please. . . I hope it also tell me how to dump the early conditioning. Removing my nature is not enough. I need to remove most of the nurture, as well.

Sigh. . .

I focus on accepting that these joys are mine, whether I want them, or not and looking for ways to channel them more effectively than that next cigarette. . . That next frantic flight from whatever is evering my whats this week. . . Letting my grown sons know they can't possibly survive without me. . . Shooting the neighbor's security lights with ice water. . . May I never reach the kiddie porn shows my parents channeled theirs in to. . .

Gentle support while you ride the wave, Fahnette. Congrats on catching it before you were driving to the store for the health twinkies which might have come after the granola bars. . . then ... then... then...

Handling my Mother was a no-brainer......We're done......gene pool or no gene pool. That's just my way. Your way is your way. I know that you will find a way that works for you so you do not have to deal with this anxiety when similar situations come up with your mother. You have a lot of good stuff going on with your films. Don't let people distract you from doing what you love. These DNA matches of ours are just people like the rest of the world. Be careful putting them on too high of a perch that they don't deserve.