I've always had a hard time letting go of things. Whether it's old clothes, tools, fabric or relationships. I tend to hang on.

This week has taught me that it's time to learn to let go. I've been so upset over my mother most of the week that I've vomited every day, slept every other night and scarcely ate. It all caught up with me and I slept past noon yesterday, missing two vital appointments. One with my counselor, the other with an elderlaw specialist.

I managed to reschedule both for Monday but today I did something totally different: I thought about something else. I listened to music and played with my dogs. I found a new song I really like and learned that a favorite musician will release a new album soon.

She's become increasingly suspicious of me all week and is telling wild, untrue stories about me to her friends. Example: I supposedly "want to sell her house right now" while she wants to wait until next year when the economy is better. We've never discussed it. She claims that I'm jealous of her boyfriend. She's asked her neighbor to change the locks on her doors. She says that I was the reason the emergency services were needed on the expressway on the way back - she didn't do anything wrong. This kind of stuff drives me crazy!

I simply don't have the energy to deal with it anymore. It's time for me to step back from the situation. I'll see the legal specialist on Monday but I'm not sure I'll do anything after all. If I do, I hope to be less intense about it. I don't owe her my health or my every waking minute.

I've got to get all my paperwork together so I can file for retirement. I've been so wrapped up in her various needs, that I've been putting if off since December. Then I'm simply going to enjoy spring and start sewing and gardening again.