"There are only minimun wage jobs,"I said "Do it" she told me. One of my street smart rules is never to argue with women who have male oriented monikers. I worked temporary help agencies, until I got a lead on a Teamster job, one as a freight handler. Somehow I did that. But I had a hard time counting items, but when the foreman went on vacation, I made the seniority list and got a union book. Thank God for shop stewards--he saved my ass more than once. I started seeing Ronnie privately. And a doctor who was a poor fit sent me to one who was a perfect fit.

We have been together twenty five years. It's not that I love myself so much better (but I do) it'd that I don't hate myself so much. I once read that happiness is living a simple life, having patience with friends and enemies and having compassion for yourself. I'm learning, I'm learning.