I've Come a Long Way Baby

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Living through two abusive husbands, two idiot ones, bad mistakes, job stress, emotional trauma, family issues, and PTSD have taught me how to overcome the stress and anxiety. How to withstand it all. I had a co-worker remark to me one time "Ghee, I worked all night at the hospital and then came in here to work." ( I had called in the day before due to extreme fatigue) Well, she worked part-time and I was full-time. She had no husband who got drunk and then harassed me all night about some stupid thing he was totally wrong about. She didn't have a granddaughter she was trying to help who ran off nearly on a daily basis and she had to wait for the police to come so she could make a report before she could go to work. She was lucky. She didn't feel the stress and anxiety of trying to figure out what was best for my family and still trying to hold down a job and put up a brave front. I am thirty-five years older and somewhat wiser. I know now when I am getting too stressed and what to do about it. My life has been a series of absurdities. Yes, one unreasonable thing after another, illogical situation after illogical situation, and though I made some bad decisions, I did a lot of good. My family is stabilized, I am happier and I ended up retiring with a good pension and a bit above moderate social security. I have learned how to overcome PTSD. I went from running to the other side of the house when the doorbell rang in fear my ex was on the prowl again to being calm and collected when someone came to the door. I learned to realize that the bad won't last forever, things will change, and that I will get through it. I have learned to seek out comic relief in times of high anxiety when I needed a laugh and to get bad thoughts out of my head. Comedy really helps. And, I found a non-druggy medication that calms me down when my anxiety rate shoots through the roof. I no longer get the rashes, stomach aches, body shakes, and am actually able to think calmly, focus, and get through the absurdities of life. I've come a long way baby.