Hi Pamela,

Firstly, you are not a failure, far from it. From what I have just read about your kids its sounds like you have done a fantastic job of bringing them up, one just out of college and the other started and no drugs or drinking and you have done that whilst going through a tough time, that shows courage! Im sure they would not be the kind and accepting kids they are without your upbringing and you should be proud of that. You have loved them and done your best and that is all they need. Noone is perfect and you have done the best you can, which is all that matters.I think you have more strength than maybe what you realise. It looks to me that you have been strong for a very long time.

I understand that is hard to stay positive at times. I agree with what Pam says about success. Success should not be something society defines. Don’t fall into the trap of measuring yourself against others, there will be people who have more than you and some people that have much less. As a counsellor you have touched many peoples lives in a positive way and this is another thing you should be proud of. To achieve that you must be a caring person and says a lot about what a good person you are. Its hard to let go of the past, I find it hard at times too so I can relate, thats why I started to live in the present moment, to enjoy what I was doing, even if that is just having a coffee or listening to some music.

Its great that you have a support person in your life. Don’t worry if the process is going slow, keep going with your counselling and reading and above all be kind to yourself and take good care of yourself. Things will get better.