What were the best and worst times of your life?

[Sum Dum Gai]

What kind of advice is that

Really good advice.  Other than dealing drugs you won't find a customer base as obsessed and loyal anywhere on the planet.  Plus the people watching in a comic book store could be fun.

The downside is of course the lack of revenue.  While your customers will be almost freakishly devoted, you won't have that many of them.  Money can't buy happiness though, so whatevs.

[movingforward]

Best times:  Freshman and senior year of college were my best years.  First year out of college was pretty great as I had a job with a bunch of other people just out of college and new to the city so we would all hang out together.  I have a lot of good memories from that time in my life.  Also, the 3 weeks I spent in Italy in 2005 and the 10 days in Hawaii in 2007.  Both trips made me feel so "free."

Worst time: Hands down 2010 was the worst time of my life.  My mother passed away suddenly, my father and brother called me daily and I became the grief counseling and really had no one to turn to myself.  Then I was laid off from my job.  I guess it made me a stronger person but it certainly sucked while it was happening. 

[mmhmm]

I think the best extended time of my life was being part of the international community living abroad and travelling the world with my late husband.  That, for me, was magical and certainly not something I would ever have dreamed I'd do.  I guess, the most difficult time is now.  Watching my mother slowly fading from this life is heart-wrenching, but I also feel fortunate to be able to keep her here with me.  There are highs and lows in almost everything, I suppose.

[Deleted]

To, all of our friends on board whom feeling the pain of lost.

[Green Eyed Lady]

Best time:  Newly married and eyes full of stars and hopes for the future.

Worst time:  When I realized I was full of shit about the newly married and eyes full of stars and hopes for the future part.

Worst time:  When I lost a baby and was hit with the realization there would never be any kids for me.

Best time:  When I quit attending my own daily Boo Hoo Why Me Pity Party and realized there are so many great things to come yet and it's up to me to make them happen.  It's all been downhill from there!

[Green Eyed Lady]

My thoughts to you all for your hard times and my admiration for facing them strongly and getting through them. 

[Peace Of Mind]

Best Times:

Moving out and living on my own at 18 years old.

Marrying first DH and had a little over 5 great years together boating, building our dream home on a lake, tons of friends and activities. 

Marrying second DH.  Building our new home and finding our property on a lake for our future? or for a 2nd home and life in general is wonderful.

Worst Times:

Realizing I was no longer in love with DH1 and leaving him.  Dealing with the backlash of my mother and friends over the decision.

My mom's death in December, 2011 and handling her estate and dealing with my 2 brothers.  Thank God that's over with!!

Best times are here again.    <<knocks on wood>>

[Tennesseer]

<<knocks on wood>>


Ouch!  That hurt!

[Peace Of Mind]

Hurt?!  It should have felt good! 

[Deleted]

The pains of your lost never completely goes away.
It just gets little easier with times. 

Looking at the bright side of life that certainly helps.

[Deleted]

Apr 23, 2013 16:42:27 GMT -5 Green Eyed Lady said:

Worst time:  When I lost a baby and was hit with the realization there would never be any kids for me.

GEL,

[Deleted]

Best time was probably the first few years after meeting DH.   We were young and healthy and able to just go and do things.  Our jobs were low stress and we lived in this dinky little rented condo.  We didn't have any home stuff to worry about.  Augghhh.... It was nice.  At the time I didn't realize how nice that was.  ETA: And I looked awesome without trying. 

The worst time was my childhood.  My mother was abusive and unstable.  You never knew what would set her off or what her mood would be.  We also moved all the time(evicted), went without heat, and ate from where she worked at the time. 

[Deleted]

[Tennesseer]

Well it was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom living in France but I moved to England to escape the intolerable and extreme injustices being committed against average citizens.

But life is good now living in Tennessee.

[quince]

Best- Now. Yesterday. The past 6 months? The past 3 years? My life is ridiculously good.

Worst...my previous relationship was about 10 years of yuck, but I was emotionally pretty numb, so nothing stands out as dreadful. Kind of like an injury you have so long you forget it hurts. 

Worst...the only real fight I've ever had with my husband- a few months before we got married. It almost ended the relationship and is still a pain point for me. Sexual infidelity isn't the only way to betray someone, and it was very unexpected and left me pretty raw- extremely depressed and changed everything.   I don't think it was on his list of happiest moments either, and while I have always known that I love him more than he loves me, there was the bittersweet moment in the midst of all of it when we both realized that the thought of losing me wasn't one that he could stomach.

[Lizard Queen]

Right now pretty much sucks balls for me.  Thank God for my DH.  He's been pretty much carrying me the last 2 years.  My kids are pretty darn adorable too.  Dad left me a decent amount of $$ too, but it would have been better had he stuck around a few more years.  I have to focus on what's good, because I've been getting precious little enjoyment out of life lately.  Work absolutely sucks...not much time to take care of myself.  I missed a rare opportunity to hang with my friends recently when I got a stomach bug.  It was just one of things that help you keep going...

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Worst:  When ODS was younger and we were dealing with school folks who lacked integrity or a single ethical bone in their bodies.  Just far too much unnecessary drama and trauma.  I believed their lies because, well, they're educators, they would know more about ODS than me, right?  What could a first-time parent know about their child?  It took far too long for me to see through their entirely self-serving, selfish, crap.  Too many of ODS's younger years are marred by my confusion, worry, and grief when NONE of it was necessary.  If only I could relive those first 10 years or so so that I could have enjoyed them the way a parent should enjoy watching a young child grow.  What unethical slimeballs those folks were.    

Best:  

1.  Realizing I am actually a really awesome parent and that I DO know my child(ren) and my assessment of their strengths and challenges is spot on.

2.  Now -- we're a close, fun, loving family and my kids are good and interesting people in their own right who will go on to live great lives full of adventure, love, and other good things.  

3.  Grad school -- I moved 1500 miles away for it knowing no one and had the absolute time of my life -- intellectual challenge, smart and fun classmates, great city, good times.  DH and I met just before and did the long distance thing for a couple years until he moved out there too.  I LOVE my life now, but there are days I wish I was still back in grad school.  

[Queen of Interesting Nuts]

I think I have had a great and fullfilling life and it seems the best has yet to come in my forties.

There was a time in 2004 that rocked my world in a terrible way, knocked us both for a loop and would not wish that on my worst enemy.

[taz157]

Apr 23, 2013 17:41:58 GMT -5 @snowbird said:

Apr 23, 2013 16:42:27 GMT -5 Green Eyed Lady said:

Worst time:  When I lost a baby and was hit with the realization there would never be any kids for me.

GEL,

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Apr 23, 2013 20:53:13 GMT -5 taz157 said:

Apr 23, 2013 17:41:58 GMT -5 @snowbird said:

GEL,

[Apple]

Worst times: The day my son was born (I was 18).  He was 7 weeks premature and wouldn't breathe, took them five minutes to resuscitate him and then he got taken away to another hospital over an hour away.  I didn't know if I would see him alive again (I had only held him for about a minute before they needed to work on him some more).  He spent two weeks in NICU before he was cleared to come home on a heart and lung monitor.  I nearly killed him several times when I fed him, he'd quit breathing and go blue.  Fortunately for me I was able to revive him by smacking his back, but my then-husband had to actually breathe for him once (while I was at his baby shower...)

College.  I went to school full time, worked 30+ hours a week, and had a 2-year-old at home.  Grampa died (the only one who actually cared about me), Gramma died (other side, no one told me she was in the hospital or sick until she was in a coma almost dead--she never liked me because my parents wouldn't change my name when I was born, but it still kinda sucked).  My husband decided he didn't like the responsibility of having a family and left, leaving me with a 3-year-old to raise by myself.  Fridge broke, kept food in an ice chest, washer broke, did laundry in the bathtub.  Became friends with a classmate/coworker who became extremely mentally abusive--even though I later told him to f* off, I still catch myself replaying what he said and having to remind myself it was him being an ass, that none of it is true.

When my boss was actively trying to ruin my career because I'm female and I turned him down.

The day I found out my son has Aspergers (now accepted and realized I likely have it too).

The time I spent dating the ex-bf.  It was a screwed up relationship.

Best times: Dating the ex-bf.  We got along great when he wasn't cheating and we had a lot of fun.  We're friends again, but I would never date him again.

The day I got to bring my son home from the hospital.  It was raining, we were hydroplaning, I was in the back seat scared to death that he'd quit breathing, but we were going home; no more hospital, no more staying the night away from him, fewer wires/other crap attached to him.

The day (just a few weeks ago), I found out I might be able to get my hearing "back" (in quotations because I don't ever remember being able to hear out of that ear very well).  Then the day the doctor pulled the packing out and whispered and I could hear him.

Vacations.

[NastyWoman]

Apr 23, 2013 16:35:06 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

I think the best extended time of my life was being part of the international community living abroad and travelling the world with my late husband.  That, for me, was magical and certainly not something I would ever have dreamed I'd do.  I guess, the most difficult time is now.  Watching my mother slowly fading from this life is heart-wrenching, but I also feel fortunate to be able to keep her here with me.  There are highs and lows in almost everything, I suppose.

Mmhmm did you by any chance spent time in SE Asia?

[mmhmm]

Sure did, Joss.  Several years in Indonesia.

[vonna]

The worst time period was bad enough I don't like to go into my memory long enough to be able to type it out. However, that time in life has given me a measure to compare everthing else bad that happens to me.  In other words, anytime I am going through bad times, I can always remind myself I'm much better off than I was then.

The best times just keep coming, and I hope that trend continues!! 

[jeffreymo]

Best times:  Mid to late 20's when I earned enough to do fun things and spent all my money doing them
Worst times:  Early 20's - trying to navigate a career path without having much of a clue as to what I wanted to do with my life.

[Deleted]

Best:
I think I was 10-11... my former SD got custody of his very young 9 and 11-year-old female cousins and they came to live with us.  I was an only child, so it was nice to have "siblings".  The younger one left after like 2 years due to severe behavioral issues, but the older one became basically like a sister.

summer going into junior year of HS.  I just started dating this guy I met at my job.  He made me feel beautiful, which is more than any guy had ever made me feel up until that point.

winter break freshmen year of college.  My HS girlfriends and I all got together for a sleepover.  We played drunk board games and just hung out.  The next morning we had a late breakfast at the local diner.  Good times....

beginning of sophomore year in college.  I had just begun to make some real friends, I was going out to parties more, I was eating well and working out, I liked my classes and I felt motivated.

Getting the job offer at this company.  I really do love this place and I hope I can stay here for a good long time.



Worst:
When I was 16 and I called my dad one day only to hear that the phone was disconnected.  I found out about a month later that he moved, met some lady (later discovered it was the woman he cheated on my mom with), and they were getting married.  I cried so much as I realized that I meant so little to him that he couldn't be bothered to tell me any of that.  He's been at arm's length ever since and hasn't met his grandson yet.

when my former SD got hauled away for something dealing with child pornography, leaving my mom very distraught and upset.  I knew she would file for divorce not long after that, and she did.  We then had to sell the house we'd lived in for about 11 years and my mom moved in with her sister.  She basically told the older cousin that she couldn't afford to care for her and me on her own.  That really hurt, but I am sure she felt that she made the right choice.  It must have been hard.

Graduating college with no prospects whatsoever.

Having no luck getting a law enforcement job.

Working my first FT job.  Trying to survive on $9.50/hr as a teller when my portion of rent was $650/mo, utilities were about $200-250, and my student loan was about $80 was beyond stressful.  Plus, I had the worst customers and I was terrible at sales.  I cried at least once a week.

When I was told that DS was going to get a spinal tap.

When we left the hospital without him.

[Deleted]

I can't really pinpoint a period of time in my life where I look back and say that was the best time of my life. I've never really been carefree and living "the life", whatever that would be for me. Still, I was relatively happy until the worst times of my life hit, which I can instantly identify.

 

2005-2006, I'd broken up with the only man I've really loved in the almost 20 years since my divorce. A few months later, I was dealing with serious medical issues with both my kids. In the middle of that, my Mom was diagnosed with colon cancer. By the time I got everybody through all of that, I had nothing left. I was like a shell, my spirit had disappeared somewhere. Very dark days.

 

2006-2008, I was seriously broke on top of everything else. The dark days turned into misery and depression.

 

I started turning that ship around finally in 2009 and it's been an uphill battle since then. Things are a lot better, I'm a lot better, but there are definitely lingering effects from those years.

[Deleted]

Then the day the doctor pulled the packing out and whispered and I could hear him.

I missed that bit of news. Congratulations!!!!

[sheilaincali]

Worst Time-  2008 and 2009 totally sucked balls.  Found out DH had been having an affair.  Did all the therapy and that and worked it out but it took a long time.  Then the mistress started stalking us.  It was a nightmare.  She'd call us (we changed numbers to stop that), She'd send packages and letters to my son telling him how much she loved his father and that they would be a family one day, she'd send me dozens and dozens to emails to my work email address.  We finally had to take her to court and final a restraining order against her.  It was granted and she broke the order 6 hours later.  She died a few months after that so she is finally out of our lives.  In the midst of all of that DH lost a job and was unemployed for 4 months and then lost the next job and was unemployed for the next 10 months.  The company I worked for closed so I was out of work for 12 months.  We lost our house to foreclosure and moved across the country back to Minnesota.

Best time- pretty much the rest of it.  DH and I meet when I was 20.  We got stationed in Alaska and had our son up there.  It was great for us to be able to just have it be the three of us for those first 4 years of our marriage (and first 2 years of DS' life).  We had a great group of friends and wonderful memories of our 4 years in Alaska.

Right now is pretty great too.  DH and I have been together 17 years now.  The Boy turns 15 on Sunday.  We have jobs we enjoy and that pay us well.  We lost some serious ground with the whole 2008/2009 layoffs, foreclosure thing but our 2012 income was back at 2007 levels (which was our previous highest level). 
We have an amazing, large and diverse group of friends.  Which is awesome.  We went through a few years where we didn't have a large group of friends and we were kind of lonely but not any more. DH's bi polar and addictions are under control now and it's been smooth sailing in that regard (knock on wood)

The Boy is freaking awesome.  I'm sorry for bragging but my kid rocks.  His is one of my favorite people in the entire world.  He has wonderful friends that support and challenge him.  He is kicking ass in his freshman year of high school.  Has big dreams and plans for the future.  Plus he has zero attitude problems and is such a pleasant young man to be around.  I could (and do) spend hours just sitting in the living room talking about life with him.  He is so witty and smart it's wonderful to watch him grow up. 

We have basically three years until he leaves us for college.  At that time I will be 41 and ready for the next phase of my life.

[NastyWoman]

Apr 24, 2013 6:36:26 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Sure did, Joss.  Several years in Indonesia.

HA! I got the country right    I spend a decade in Bangkok and Singapore myself