Not at all. I appreciate your input as much as anyone. Honestly, as we read each other’s work, we learn a lot about each other. Writers are writers and share their soul in their work. It’s like therapy, it just takes longer.

I don’t disagree that it comes off like a lack of motivation, but I am comfortable in saying that it’s not. The truth is that I’m tired. I’ve been trying and working and struggling for almost ten years, and sometimes I feel like I can’t go anymore. And it’s also easy to forget that she’s struggling too. Sometimes she takes it out on me, and sometimes it’s legitimately my fault.

That being said, you’re absolutely right…there is room for more. There’s almost always more to give. And the truth is that convincing myself that I am worthy of love puts me in a better place. Around the house it’s evident in my attitude, the way I regard her, etc. If everyone in our house feels loved, including me, that, my friend, is the “highest good for all”, as you eloquently put it.

Like I said in the piece — I’ll keep trying until I have nothing left. I didn’t mean for the piece to come off as defeatist, but maybe I needed it to. Maybe I needed to put some of the weight down. I got a lot of love from this piece, your message included.

Thanks for writing to me. I really appreciate it.