Changing my life for the better
@CRK109 (14556)
United States
July 17, 2017 5:49pm CST
For me, retirement has been rough. Hubby is gone. Until very recently, I had almost no one at all to talk with. Money has been tight and my depression, not surprisingly, has been through the roof. I've tried to keep myself busy, and my librarian keeps piling on the books. But I needed more.
The recent reconciliation with my niece has made several good changes to my life. First and foremost, she's made me come to understand that I'm an important person in her life. She comes to me for advice and counsel. She makes time for me in her life. And many times she leaves me shaking my head because I can't believe this is really happening to me.
Then she began gently pushing me to get a new cat, after I lost my beloved Ruby. And while I don't yet have that new feline at home with me, all these trips to the shelter have made me happier than I've felt in a very long time.
Today, I learned that I've been accepted as a volunteer at the shelter, to work with the cats. I know they need people to walk the dogs, but I'm in no shape to do that at the moment. So playing ball with the kittens, holding them and giving them love and letting them know that they ARE loved and WILL find a forever home is something that makes me genuinely happy. I don't have a schedule yet but I can't wait. I'm going there later in the week to visit my little guy and see what schedule we can build that will be helpful for all of us.
I used to laugh with the people there and tell them that I'm moving in! Guess it was a lot less of a joke than any of us knew!
Claudia
19 people like this
22 responses
@andriaperry (116936)
• Anniston, Alabama
18 Jul 17
I am glad you are getting out, animal always helps to be around.
4 people like this
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
22 Jul 17
Animals have always made a difference with me. I'm so glad I can do this now.
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
22 Jul 17
Oh it does make me happy! It's pretty amazing what a difference those animals make in my life.
@marguicha (222999)
• Chile
17 Jul 17
A change of life is not easy at all. It has taken me years to learn how to cope with losses.
3 people like this
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
22 Jul 17
I'm still moving through grief and since people have not been a real help thus far, I'm glad I can bond with animals. They give unconditional love and I have a place to put all the love inside of me that's just been sitting. It's a win-win situation that I'm so grateful to have found.
1 person likes this
@Raine38 (12250)
• United States
18 Jul 17
Claudia, what good news! The reconciliation, the new gig, and a chance to meet lots of furry friends! I am still far from retirement but the greatest fear that I have is being alone. My boyfriend and I do not have kids, we plan to marry soon and the thing is we both have the same personality - we do not have really good friends. For now we still have our jobs and schools and occasional invites from acquaintances to keep us busy. But once these are all gone, I fear we have nothing else. Oh well, I guess I have to keep positive thoughts and live life and enjoy. I really am glad that your story brought me hope and a smile tonight.
3 people like this
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
22 Jul 17
You and I seem to have a lot in common. My life was pretty perfect while my husband was here. We had a lot of friends but everyone was too busy to visit and since we had each other, we were just fine. Once he was gone, it changed everything. Now that I can add cats and kittens to my life, things feel so much better! They've always been my passion and now I can run with that!
@Deepizzaguy (102814)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
18 Jul 17
The worst feeling any human being can have is to feel useless or not having a challenge to keep us going to live a happy life.
3 people like this
@NJChicaa (119617)
• United States
17 Jul 17
That is wonderful that you've reconnected with your niece and that you are getting involved with the cats at the shelter. Definitely positive things. Do you take any medication for your depression? That also can be very helpful for you.
3 people like this
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
22 Jul 17
Yes I do take medication but, as my doctor told me, the isolation makes life that much more difficult for me. So now that I've taken the initiative to get to the shelter and be around the other and help the cats will probably help me even more than medication can!
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (119617)
• United States
22 Jul 17
@CRK109 Yes it is important to get out and do things. Cats are wonderful therapy! I know that going out to the gym 3-4 times a week is really helpful to me. It gets me out of the house and interacting with people where I would otherwise be sitting home alone which isn't good for my depression.
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
24 Jul 17
This is such a great thing to do. Volunteering can be a wonderful thing, whether with animals or for humans! Hope you love it @CRK109
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
26 Jul 17
@CRK109 People who help animals are a special group of people, aren't they?
@lovebuglena (44524)
• Staten Island, New York
18 Jul 17
It's great that you found something to do with your time that will get you out of the house and make you happy. Not working and being at home a lot can sure make a person feel very down. I am in that boat right now.
2 people like this
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
22 Jul 17
Yes, I've had a rough time for the last three years feeling useless and not needed. Now I can bond with the cats and kittens and the more time I spend there, the happier they seem to be! And then they can find their forever homes and I know I will have more cats to love!
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
18 Jul 17
Aw I'm glad you get to volunteer there and the kitties have a new friend while staying there.
2 people like this
@Scindhia (1906)
• India
18 Jul 17
Good to know that you are feeling happier these days. You are not alone. We all have different things going on for us at different times but yet are connected by a one giant thread of humanity! Hope things would brighten up even more as days go by. The best is yet to come!
2 people like this
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
22 Jul 17
I have found a sense of peace that I never thought I could find, so I will keep going along my journey and try to keep helping more and more. That makes so much sense to me!
