Hope I'm not going too far off topic here, but. . .

Is it funny that just this weekend my 5 year old grandson was comforting his sister on that same score? She wanted to squeeze into the old walker I keep stashed under the crib. Both she and her brother loved that walker dearly and he was repeating the same consolations I used to end his efforts to keep squeezing into that walker after he had outgrown it. It was a heartwarming scene. I *just* had to tell someone.

Yes, the old me is gone. May the new me be a worthy replacement. It is in my granddaughter's case. Mostly. . . Part of me misses how cute she was in that walker. She was certainly easier to keep up with.

Getting back on topic. . .

Rocking you gently and crying with you while you grieve the old you. Sending prayers for the new you growing in her place.

I could tell you the details, but trust me that in my life, the old me has been gone so far in 1985, 2000, and 2011. Two of those times involved hospitalizations, because the loss of self was so extreme. The losses were accompanied by a loss of marriage, home, and job, too, so recovery with the new self was a climb up a steep curve each time on very shaky legs. In 2000 bankruptcy was included, as I lost all I'd ever earned.

All I can say is that I'm still here. We're here for you. Keep venting, Everlasting.Love

Still here Love. The new you will be so wonderful. Yes, it will be hard work and painful along the way. You will end up the new, improved version living with so much less pain. Your true self will shine. Clouds of hugs of all kinds surrounding you.

And the new you is lovely and worthy too. Life is change for better or worse but hopefully this is a growth experience for you.

welcome to the new you, but yes , take a proper time period to mourn the old you and have closure so as to be able to embrace the new you when you need to do this. Triple hugs of support during your difficult transition

You're not gone. You're just growing. You will always fundamentally be yourself, but it's natural to change with time, experience, and, yes, unfortunately with pain, too.

Trauma changes the way we move through life. You are not alone in these feelings, and some day, you may look back on this moment and repeat some of the things said here to you to someone else who is struggling.

Don't forget your voice. Keep venting, as muji said. You're processing a change.

Here for you and for support any time.

(((very gentle understanding hugs)))