I am NOT bitter 24/7. Really. (Dial Up WARNING!)

[RetroLounge]

I smile quite a bit throughout the day. I laugh a lot. I'm quite pleasant most of the time.

and I truly apprciate all the kind words and suggestions, hugs and PM's. But I do not want to be such a DU downer all the time, as I am not really that sad all the time, and i try to enjoy what life has to offer, and I have lots of things to be grateful for, great friends, beautiful kids. Hope for the future.

Sometime I might rant in a post, like we all do at times, because I feel that way at that particular time, and it seems like I am despairing and hurting *all* the time. I am not...

So to offset the bitterness and sadness, here's some nice things that make me smile, things and people I love, am grateful for, give me hope, help me to move on and go forward with this crazy carnival ride we call life. Hope they do something for you too...

Puppies!


Rainbow!


Babies! Puppies!


Vintage Cars! (1958 Oldsmobile)


Nature! The only place I *feel* spirituality...


Riley! Future Liberal Activist!


Benjamin! Definitely a liberal.


Books! Books! Books!


Sigh... Words fail me...


RL

[ThomCat]

1. There are people, and beloved beasties,

and special times and places that can make everything right in the world, even if only for a little while.

[In_The_Wind]

2. I didn't think you were.

But thanks for the photos anyway.

[khashka]

3. Oh get over it!

You are rarely bitter.... you've had some rough times and have handled them with admirable grace. It's not gonna be easy - but you do it anyway. Trust me, it gets better. Even if it feels like hell now....


Props to RL - even when he's down, he almost never complains - instead he tries to share the beauty he sees. What more could anyone want, admire, be amazed by?

Khash.

[Deja Q]

7. Precisely.

[anarch]

4. hell, you don't seem nearly as bitter as you are probably entitled to be

Me on the other hand...I am pretty much bitter and angry 24/7. Sorry about that.

As Bill Hicks once said, "I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out."

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. You know, Retro... You've never struck me as bitter...not once.

You strike me as a man saddened by the events in your family... a man who never ever wanted this to happen to him, and then it did, and he dealt with it the best that he could, and was an example to us all.

You also strike me as a latent Packer fan.

[RevCheesehead]

8. oh, snap!

http://www.packerpalace.com/palace96/rock9614a.html

[plcdude]

6. been there my friend

and it is overwhelming at times. My children who are now 30 and 27 became a central part of my management of this disaster. It took alot of time for me to recover but I found that I needed to stay busy, see my children as often and as long as was possible, and make new friends to help me enjoy life again. Isolation is your greatest enemy although it is a most attractive option. So as my beloved mother (God rest her soul) used to say there are two things to remember in life when coping with the negative things; This too shall pass. And love covers a multitude of sins. Patience and continue to love those around will help. Hang in there.