A letter to my friends..

You know it's time to take a break from the Internet when it makes you more depressed each passing day. There was a time when I used to look forward to getting online to chat with my friends.. but now, it's like a chore. I'm like a therapist to a lot of the people I talk to.. and I'm getting burned out. I know I know.. I keep saying this, but it got to the point today where I almost said some things I might regret at a later time. So.. I composed this letter.

(this doesn't apply to everyone)
Dear Friends,
I realize that to YOU, your problems are the biggest thing in the world. But could you please quit acting like you're the only one with problems? Seriously.. I've got a lot going on myself, and some of what I have going on makes your problems look like nothing. Do me a favor.. if you can't do anything but whine at me, give me a break for a while ok? Try talking to me about the weather, music, animals, hunting.. or you know, maybe my life for a change. I'm not your therapist.. and I'm tired of playing that role. I'm getting burned out.. to the point where I'm about to just call it quits with most the people I talk to.

Before ya'll take this the wrong way.. I care about you. I really do. I don't think anyone is disposable, and I don't take friendships lightly. Most of ya'll should know that since almost everyone I talk to has walked all over me at some point.. but I'm still there when you need me. I've been there through the good times and the bad.. I've been there through medical scares, the loss of family/friends/pets, births, marriages, divorces, the beginning of relationships, the end of relationships, loss of jobs, finding new jobs, when you've been so damn confused you can't make sense of things, when you've been so happy you've had to share with someone or you'd bust. I've even stuck around when everyone else has turned their backs on you. I've been there for you when you've needed someone to listen. I didn't even get a friggin' break when my dad died.. a lot of you leaned on me then, and I didn't complain. Think about all that for a minute.. it's only been seven months since my dad has passed away.. seven months! That may seem like a long time to you, but to me these months have flown by and yes, it's still raw and painful. That doesn't stop me from being your ear to bend, shoulder to cry on, and therapist to help sort things out.

I recently joined a grief support group at the urging of a good friend (who has always been there for me and doesn't burden me with every one of her problems.. though I wouldn't mind if she did, because she doesn't consider every little thing an huge obstacle that can't be overcome) and I'm trying to deal with my OWN problems. I've got plenty of them.. and right now I need to deal with my own problems and not everyone Else's.

I'm sorry if this came out harsh or hurt any one's feelings.. but really, I just need a break for a while ok? You can have your therapist back in a couple weeks.. but for now I'm taking a vacation.

Love ya,
Amb


And on that note, I'm going to go to bed. I'll post more tomorrow. Night ya'll.