Thoughts on attachment style (opposites tragically attract), being raised by a narcissist father and having limited opportunity to build a relationship with mom. Nurturing - not my strong suit, but willing to learn.

Nurturing can be genuine or strained and false. What is the line? More questions than answers, as usual.

Just thinking about by therapist and my dad. I need to keep a promise I made to have a final check-in with my therapist before going off with no more regular visits. And considering talking to my estranged father before his dementia gets any worse.

My weird life. We are headed down to the Austin area to rehome a yearling buck whitetail deer that has been living with us, and have Thanksgiving with all the kids, gathering at the home of our oldest. After TG, I’ll head home alone to hold down the fort for two weeks while Cathy stays to help with the baby.

Today the boss asked me (again) to consider buying the business. Very interested, but I’d have to cobble together a down payment. And convince my wife.

More along the lines of “Why do you love me?” Comparing being “in love” as a young emotionally stunted child with truly surrendering and loving another individual unconditionally.

Starting a week-long series of meditations on nurturing. Caring for others and yourself. A story about a time I was less than nurturing. And a joy-filled night and morning.

In sum, take better care of yourself, and enjoy it! There is no fun in living to work, being at the mercy of others in your life, and generally just letting yourself be pushed through life. That’s a recipe for disaster. The alternative is to pick out areas where you are not taking care of basic needs and start improving them!

Self care includes making and maintaining friendships. This is friggin’ hard, especially in adulthood. One way to put your toe in the water is to schedule some one-on-one time with someone you (think you) know well, like an adult child, or a sibling, and then gradually introduce someone else into the mix so you have comfort and familiarity on one hand and new opportunities for friendship on the other.

I hate to get political, but please take down your Trump flags. It’s over.