Hi Michelle, I've found I have to take breaks away from here when I notice it is bringing on sadness instead of helping. I think I've backed away for "vacation time" twice. Nothing wrong with that. Whatever rocks our boat, so the saying goes. But I for one will kick and scream and pout and cry just like a 3 year in the grocery store whose mom says, Put that candy back, if you decide not to come back after you vacation. I for one enjoy your company Michelle, and listen to what you have to say (after all, I think it was you that told me to throw away all my cotton shirts and buy me some of those new fangled Permanent Press). Can't get any better than that! Your Friend ~~ Scottie

MIchele, I've done the same thing. You'll come back one day and realize you are now one of those helping others. I find it hard to stay away now as you all are the closest thing I have to sanity (scary isn't it) but seriously everyone has backed away from me, they think I should be "over it". I'll never be "over it" this is the new me. I try not to discuss it with anyone outside the group because they don't get it.
Thanks for coming back and take that break when you need to.
Rachel

This group has been a true blessing to me; you "get" what the whole world does not seem to understand. Many, many hours I have spent reading and getting to know you all. So now, coming out of the "stalker" phase, hoping I may be able to help someone else as I have been helped.

Sometimes it is just a matter of pacing myself here..limiting which topics I read. not always able to handle some. I rarely read everything, it is just too hard
Other times I can't logon.
Take care of you, as best you can.
Barbara.

It's the same for me. People here have been wonderful, but I can't always handle things. Sometimes it's me and what's going on in life. I was away for a few weeks until yesterday.

Michelle, I have to take a step back at times too. Your not alone in that battle. I feel everyones grief, and so sometimes, I have to step away for a few days. much love and big hugs carla

Check out a possibility of a more positive direction of learning to live with loss.

http://www.dailystrength.org/groups/hopeful-hearts-love-after-loss/discussions

Sharon

I feel exactly the same Michelle, I don't come here often. HUGS to you!

Hi Michele, I am such a private person that I can't tell my family and friends how I really feel. I get on this site and I pour my heart out. I feel comfortable here because everyone has been where I am. Do I cry when I read posts and replies to my posts, You betcha. I don't reply to posts because I am too new to my loss to give any advice, but I wanted to reply to yours. I believe that everyone on this site is here to vent, comfort, console, and give hope to others. Don't feel lousy, you are among friends. I wish you much Love and hugs
Joe

Michelle, I had to step off this board for a few months earlier this year and you were the first one to welcome me back. Please take the break if you need to, you will know when it is time to come back. You may even decide to stalk for a while before you post. I still find somedays I can read posts but I can't reply. We all love you here and will be waiting but like anyone who loves someone we don't want to hold you back - try taking a break for a little bit and see how it goes. LIke all things with this board - we get it.

Daily Strength is a fantastic place to go to find people in the same boat as you. The closer the subject 'hits close to home', the harder it is to follow, I find. When you are ready to face the problem head on, it's great to have, and it is also great to be able to step away for awhile..

i don't come here nearly as often as when i first joined. I think at times it was the only connection with the outside world that i wanted or needed. as time has gone on I find that i want to connect with the real world again, and so I take a break, but then i come back because the people here seem to get me better then family and friends. You have been so encouraging I am sure i would miss your voice on this site. So take a break but please stop in every so often to let us know how you are doing! Big hug Patti

You're not alone. I check in every day because I care about everyone here. I'll keep reading and praying, and once in a blue moon I'll have something to say. I hope I can help others with their journeys when the time comes... I believe tears are for cleansing, and feeling lousy is the norm as is feeling agony at times. No one goes through what we've been through without horrible pain. I'm hugging you right now and sending my love to you. Kim

Hey Michelle,
Right now I only have access to a computer part of the week. I think part of the reason my off days are so rough is because I can't get online to interact with everyone. I start feeling down and depressed then when I come here I actually feel better because of what we all know and that's we have to know there is someone out there who understands what we are going thru. Some of the posts can get you down but then I think we all serve a purpose here to support one another and help get each other thru.
For me I deeply appreciate you and everyone who have trusted enough to share your own feelings and situations that has helped me tremendously to understand a lot of what I'm dealing with and will go thru down the road. This is without a doubt the hardest thing I have ever been thru and probably will ever go thru.
I just want to say thanks again for your and everyone else's support during this time.
Peace, Tim

I haven't been here for awhile either..for me it will be a year on March 19, and I guess, in a strange way, I've been almost 'numb' for the past couple of months, busying myself in various political causes, and taking more online jobs..but lately, as the date approaches, it's starting to become an obsession again..not that it ever wasn't...but I'm thinking about it more and more,about the unfairness, and the anger, despair, hopelessness all rear their ugly heads...and once again, nothing gets my mind off of it...