FUCK that person who said that to you about spending your money on Ollie’s ashes. Taking care of your soul is just as important as taking care of your body. Your soul needs to feel Ollie’s presence near you. It sounds new-agey, but our bodies cannot heal if our souls are ill. You did the right thing and I’m sorry that…

Don’t know what to say Maya other than I’m sorry to here that you’re still struggling and really hope you’re able to keep going and soon things start looking up for you.

Ugh, I still can’t believe anyone would give you such a hard time for cremating Ollie to bring him home. You made a choice that makes perfect sense. Hang in there. We’re rooting for you.

Oh Maya! I wish so much that things would get better for you! I am holding good thoughts for you in my heart. 

This community kept me alive when i didn't think i could go on and helped me when i wasn't sure i could feed myself or my daughter.  I had a cat pass during that time and I made the decision to have her with us.  It would have devastated both of us otherwise.  Screw anyone that would judge you. And please let people…

Maya, my lived one lives with depression and anxiety, and has managed it beautifully for a couple of years now. This weekend, they've had something of a setback, and it so painful watching them struggle. My heart absolutely goes out to anyone who lives with mental health issues. Please know that there are people who…

All the internet hugs!

Everyone posts such kind, positive replies. I’m not great at the touchy, feely stuff so please excuse the negativity but— fuck anyone who thinks they have any say in how you (a grown ass woman) spends her money.

I’m so happy we have SNS this week because I wanted to thank all the SNS contributors who helped encourage me to get married in a hurry. I guess it was four weeks ago that I posted saying that my boyfriend of 10 years and I were thinking of finally getting married while my father, who is declining rapidly from late…

Seconding Dunlin, be kind to yourself. There are people here who want you be well and successful.

So, it’s a really surreal week for this, but National Novel Writing Month started this Friday. Is any other Jez taking this plunge besides me, this year?

What a week! I was worried about losing all of you!

I love seeing/reading about the death-related traditions of other cultures. I don’t know why America 1) is so afraid of the mourning/celebrating life process and 2) charges out the ass for funeral services and makes it sound like the norm. I follow Caitlin Doughty (of Ask a Mortician fame) almost to the point of…

So this happened: On Halloween, I go to the doctor for a routine check up, blood tests, ect. The next day, (yesterday) my doctors office calls me and says my sodium levels are dangerously high and that I need to immediatly call 911 and get to the hospital for treatment. Of course I panic and do what they ask. My…

There was a time when my boys were small & things were tougher that I arrived at the food bank just a few minutes after they’d closed. I’d spent too long getting us cleaned up and ready because I didn’t want to be judged poorly or something. I had nothing to feed the kids and I was so panicked that my ears were…

I’m just getting around to SNS. Sorry you’re going through all of this. You are not alone my dear. Keep the faith, you never know when you might get something unexpected.

Hi Maya—sorry I logged off before you replied (long week, also I’m old and go to bed early ;-) ). But good luck with the food voucher—I can’t imagine why you’d be denied that, so fingers crossed. And I know it’s not going to solve everything, but it’s important.

Maya I’m so sad things are being shit for you. The benefits system seems utterly ghoulish, that’s an appalling way to treat people! You were sick!! You need more help, not less help.

Phone the benefits line! There’s an emergency payment you can get when you’re sanctioned. It’s not much but it’ll get you some food.

I wish I had something more helpful to offer than an internet hug but alas. Sending the hug anyway x