h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Here it is a lovely sunny winters day, and I'm feeling anxious.

First it was anxiety over the events which all seemed to pile atop each other, then anxiety over the ever changing schedule for the house tenting, (which meant I had to pack up my cats and myself, pack us off to another abode for 3 days, *and* pack up all the food in the house so it didn't get fumigated). At last, that's all over now.

Current anxiety is the visit this week of the friend who took me in for two years, so I wouldn't be living in the street. She's coming to our non-profit group's annual Christmas party (and to visit her best friend). Since I'm still on the board, I'll be there, but I have no idea what to expect. Over the past year, I've emailed her, and left messages on her phone, and she's only answered two of them in the past 14 months -- the last to state that "it's too bad we're so different." I feel SO MUCH gratitude for her generosity, but it makes me feel awful that we no longer seem to be friends. It dosen't look as if "I'm so sorry" and "I'm so grateful" will *ever* be enough -- because it hasn't helped so far.

I'm hoping all this anxiety I'm feeling over my life is just a phase, and not a permanent condition -- because I've got enough on my plate, thanks.

A certain amount of anxiety is unavoidable. You've been through a lot the last few years and have come through it all sanity intact. So tgry not to let the anxiety make you...ahen...anxious.

I don't know how I'd handle the meeting with the woman who seems to have put herself into the "former" friend category. Perhaps she feels guilty about some of her behavior toward the end and that makes her uncomfortable around you. The truth is, you two are indeed different and I'm not surprised that there was tension. I'd be friendly without pursuing her for conversation.

I have always been friendly; her last email really startled me, though. It has a very "Have a nice life" feel to it.

I've been trying to call her, to see if she wants to sit down and try to reconnect, but I haven't been able to reach her. I wouldn't care except that we have a lot of mutual friends and I know she's been...er, non-reticent about mentioning me.

Guess it's time to find out who my friends are -- I love the smell of catharsis in the morning!

update: I just talked to my friend, and she seems a lot friendlier for now. I'll have to see after tomorrow's party -- but I'm feeling very hopeful. I *hate* having to burn bridges, and I hate losing friends. So, maybe this Xmas will be a good one.

The party went really well; I talked with her for a bit, told her about the biz I'm starting, even recruited her to give me some feedback on my intended price-point.

She didn't say anything about my weight loss, but I didn't mention her weight gain, either. Won't mention it anywhere but here, either.

I'm glad things are ok between you. That must be a relief.

Sometimes it's hard not to be secretly pleased by certain situations. Especially when there is an element of poetic justice about them.

I'm glad you found eachother.
Losing friends is sad, but it happens. It's always nicer when you kindly have agreed to go separate ways, than one shutting the other off...