Hello, its been awhile again.

[ClarinetPhoenix]

Welcome back, I hope that your life continues to improve- you aren't the first person to struggle with such issues, nor will you be the last. I'm truly glad that you realized
in time that things had to change...this year has been especially hard on most everyone anyway. You're among friends...

Thank you.
I had reached a point where my issues very nearly cost me something important to me, something that has been part of my life for the last 6 years. It was that moment I knew I had to turn things around.
It's been quite a journey back to the light and I seriously don't recognize the person I was a few months ago.
What tipped the scale for me on the snakes was my poor Rowan, I finally checked in with her one day and saw she was visibly dehydrated. It woke something in me.
That day everyone got fresh water, I watched them all drink, and was feeling very guilty I had let it go so long and on the next "scheduled" feeding day they all got a meal.
It made me happy to see them eat, and to remember the beautiful creatures I chose to be responsible for. They all bounced back magnificently.
The next moment was a quiet evening on my computer. Samson was alot smaller but he came to lay in my lap and just fell asleep there, purring. That was the moment I realized that I couldn't provide the life he deserved if I kept going the way things were, that was the moment I knew I also needed to catch up with my older cat. Samson was never a means to ignore my current responsibilities, I actually got him as a companion for Kaz, but I saw how energetic and full of life Samson was, and Kaz, well, he was grumpy, non-energetic and clearly overweight. I knew if I didn't address his weight I would lose him sooner, so I became committed to his health, Samson's health and the care of my beautiful snakes.

In this time I've also realized that what I have in life, I am content and happy with. My two fur-babies and my beautiful snakes, and there is no shame in being content with just that.