Dear Nichole:

You wrote about Chicago, “everyone needs something will I ever live the life I want for myself?, and in Chicago, you “have been living everyone else’s life” .

You also wrote: “Family will always be there when you need them”- but what you need is to live the life you want for yourself, to live your own life, not everyone else’s, so clearly Chicago is not the right place for you.

Maybe in Florida (or elsewhere, away from Chicago) you can live the life you want for yourself, your own life.

You wrote: “I am still sad, and hurt, and anxious but am ambitious for the future”, what a wonderful testimony, ambition in spite of the presence of fear, sadness and hurt. Fear will continue to be a reality, it does follow us “like a leach”, but keep that excitement, that ambition and may these carry you through the fear and doubt.

There is no doubt in my mind that the right thing for you is to live your own life. I am excited for you!

I will soon be away from the computer for about 14 hours.

anita