I Survived in Packrat

I survived the week from hell.

…As reported, my sweet little girl died, and I still cry for her every day.
Silver lining - she had good days and no pain all the way to the end.

…A relative I see frequently tried to kiss me and not in a family way.
Silver linings - I moved my head just in time and it landed on my chin. I also don’t feel freaked out or that I have to avoid him - a great benefit of my age - and he knows he made a mistake and made me uncomfortable. It won’t happen again. It also gave me leverage - his hugs have been making me uncomfortable, but because there was nothing I could really pin point and we’ve always been close (we had him read a poem at my dad’s funeral), I endured them, but after the kiss attempt, when he came at me “for a hug”, I told him, “That makes me uncomfortable.” He acknowledged my discomfort and backed off, so those have now stopped.

…I yelled at a legend.
Silver lining - everybody knows I was right. Her presence and that of another will be limited in the media campaign of the Very Important Case from now on, and their self-promotion will cease.

…My brother’s companion has been neglectful and selfish in my niece’s care and my brother’s (who is ill at the moment).
Silver lining - he and my mother see her true colors. I never liked her. In my paper journal I call her the DOT - Dirty Old Thing. The DOT loves Baby and keeps her clean and fed, but she doesn’t give her attention. Another silver lining - Baby is well loved among all the family, the DOT’s included.

…Implementing a new program here has stalled.
Silver lining - the chief of staff is fully behind the program, knows how it works, and said “It’s a gift” that the person presenting it to us is ready to go immediately. He said next week we’ll push it through.

Other silver linings:
…Puppies! I have adorable ones that are going to good, loving homes.
…My car had to have a new clutch and then after that brakes and Freon. Just parts wearing out (they’ve never needed work before and I’ve had the car for eight years). I had more than enough in savings, and while I hated to spend on that, I’m grateful that I had the money.
…After my blow up, the attorney for a national organization who coordinates our meetings concerning the Very Important Case called S to tell him what happened but was totally on my side, said it could have been much worse because on other projects with the same person it has been, agreed with all our concerns, and told S I’m “a strong Indian woman”. (I used to be so shy that I hid from friends and family alike.)
…S told me, “I like you just the way you are.” ! :)