I hit an emotional bottom last night.

Just too much going on in the world.

Too much going on in my heart and head.

Too much going on in my immediate circle – people passing, friends and family being ill or broken with this and that. Plus my own recent health scare.

Miss ‘I can live alone’ also has to come to terms with the fact that, approaching 50, and having lost the one person I could imagine sitting in a rocking chair next to, that I may very well BE living alone in my ‘golden years.’

I’m scared.

They’ve recently built an ‘assisted living’ home across the street from where I work.   Next door to us is the administration building. I see people bringing their elderly relatives to discuss housing – knowing once they’re there, that’s it.

They gingerly enter and I want to wrap them all up in cotton wool.  The sadness on their faces – it is my undoing.  But, it’s a great facility.  They’ll be cared for and nourished mentally, emotionally and physically.

There’s to be no assisted living for me.

Let’s face it, I can’t even afford to procure health care right now for the issues I DO have. God forbid something catastrophic happen.

I’m scared of being alone.

I’m scared that I have no nest egg.

I’m scared to die – and, I’m scared I haven’t been ‘good enough.’

Last night I reached out – because my thoughts became very dark.

I needed to hear that I made a difference in some lives. That I was loved.

I needed it like I need oxygen.

Luckily, I’m very picky on my Facebook and so when I do reach out – or if I am a total idiot, I’m accommodated/forgiven depending on what I’ve posted.

I have wonderful friends.

I need to make a point of telling them more often!

I don’t want to eulogize loved ones when they’re gone.  I think people deserve to hear how special they are and what a difference they make in my life while they’re still able to hear it.

Anyway, I needed to hear my eulogy.

Because last night, I wasn’t feeling loved.

I wasn’t feeling ‘good’.

I wasn’t feeling important.

I was feeling completely broken, beaten and hopeless.

I was feeling lost and abandoned.

I was feeling used and discarded.

I was feeling like I wanted to be – done.

Just … done.

Please know, these were just feelings … I treasure my life. But the feelings were so intense they scared me.

And so – this is why I reached out.

My post said this:

“You know how we have an impact on someone’s life and don’t even know it? I need to know it tonight. Not ‘fishing’ straight up asking, have I, and in what way, had any sort of impact in your life? I need this. I don’t need complete kudos – I just want to know – if I was in anyway ‘good’. Just trust that I’m asking for a good reason – and please don’t ask why. X”

My friends came through for me.

I was given ‘virtual’ love that I so desperately needed.

I was validated.

I was lifted.

And I was not questioned.

I was eulogized and … it made me feel alive.

I saw glimpses of myself that I forgot existed.

I remembered moments shared with far away friends that had faded from memory.

I felt warmth and love.

I felt and still feel, SUCH gratitude for the amazing people who took the time to give me their time when I truly needed it.

I am a blessed woman.

Still hurting … but not feeling so alone.

I am so glad I put my pride aside and spoke up.