Be grateful you work for a union. You will have those benifits for a long time. Can you also apply for SSD? I am also one of those that let my job define me and it took me several years to finish my grieving of that. But God has kept me pretty busy. Both my Mom and MIL had a series of small strokes. I don't physically take care of them but they have a lot of needs that would have been very difficult onme if I had been working. Plus being a Grandma is wonderful! Actually I am healthier in retirement than I would be if I were still working. But yes, I would be making more money. But very tired. Good luck.

Your situation is very close to my heart right now. I like to think I'm in charge of making a decision to slow down "a lot" at work. But, in all actuality, the ms is making the decision FOR me. I've been fighting reality. I have finally turned it over to God. Things just seem to be falling into place now for my future in the workplace. It is a real test for me to be patient and accept that it is OK for me to slow down considerably... life will go on. Right now, I'm feeling pretty good about it... tomorrow I may be back to trying to take over for God. We can, at times, have a little "tug of war" going on... which I'm sure has to be aggrevating to God, if truth be told. But I'm taking baby steps in the journey of settling into the reality of it all. I try to rememer, "It is what it is" and what can I do with it to lead the best and happiest life possible? I got some really good advice from a few nice people here at NT. These folks are very genuine and smart. I am thankful for them everyday. I am also thankful for you. I wish you the best in the world. I hope things settle in for you to have a happy life. My prayers are with you and your mother.

Jo~Jo Darlin.....

Ya know you got "plenty" of other folks whom you can help out....The pay isnt in the form of $ but its in the form of

You will find your place hun....give it time.....

and spend what time you can with your momma.....YOU WILL BE SO GLAD YOU DID.....

in the meantime use this forum as your sounding board....many here know exactly what your going through.....

You have a great irle of friends.........USE US!!!!!

[QUOTE=doydie;240644]I am also one of those that let my job define me and it took me several years to finish my grieving of that.QUOTE]

YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD WITH THIS STATEMENT! WOW!!! OUCH! THE TRUTH HURTS!!!! THERE MUST BE MORE TO US THAN OUR CAREER! RIGHT??? YOU HAVE GIVEN ME A HUGE "AH-HA" MOMENT!
THANK YOU!

Also, UNION is great! My husband who is dealing with cancer was (always will be) a part of a brotherhood. We have gotten SO MANY checks $ from his brothers to help us out during this time! Plus, the insurance will always be there. We are truly blessed!

Joelle

Everyone here is right - there is much to be thankful for in being part of a Union. My DH Tim was a GM employee all his life - only job he ever had - and was very involved in the Union (Union Rep and then Chairman). They take care of their own. Even though GM itself could have been better to me it was the Union workers who helped the most when he passed away.

I hope things are looking better for you and that you are slowly but surely getting your strength back. A trip like you took would take it's toll on even the healthiest of people - give yourself some time and let Tim and your boys pull the weight. You deserve a break - let them help. Or. . . . you could get up and try to do some laundry - that might make you feel better (a suggestion my own DH gave to me once when I had the flu!!!!).

LOL!!!! I tried the laundry trick. It didn't work!! I ended up sleeping for 2 hours afterwards!! Husbands are sooo great when it comes to "helpful" suggestions!! Mine keeps telling me not to over do it, but then in the next sentence he asks me to redo his resume, LOL. He just doesn't get it sometimes. I'm gonna redo his resume . Lord knows what it will look like !

Hope he proofs it before sending it out!!!