So sad today

[hoffyburger]

I just dropped my kids off at my ex-wife's and I come home to my empty apartment. Things just aren't working out for me.

[KitchenWitch]

1. sorry you are sad.

Empty apartments are the pits.

[SPKrazy]

2. hang in there man

I know the feeling

fucking sucks

but hang in there

:pals:

[flvegan]

3. A belated Welcome to DU.

You get them again next weekend? Something to look forward to, right?

[hoffyburger]

4. Yeah

I live over an hour away and I drive to their games and practices almost every night...I was in Iraq for most of the last six months...I just haven't had the time to make any human connections...my life feels like a downward spiral

[Skittles]

6. hey hoffy

you're in an adjustment period and being way, way too hard on yourself - give yourself some time

[hoffyburger]

7. hard

yeah it seems like i just see myself as a failure in life, thanks

[AAARRRGGGHHH]

8. Hey Man

Just from this thread, it sounds like you're a great father (driving an hour to your kids games and practices is really impressive), and it sounds like you've served your country abroad. Nothing about either of those things tells me you're anywhere near being a failure in life.

Keep your head up and hang in there. And please let us know if there is anything we can do to help.

[Skittles]

9. hoffyburger sounds AWESOME

yes INDEED :thumbsup:

[ikojo]

16. You are not a failure. When your country called you, you didn't use

your daddy's connections to get a cushy assignment, you heeded that call. Not many people can say that (including the president of the US).

If you can, please find a counselor to talk with. Some will work on a sliding scale and allow you to pay what you can afford.

Although it seems like it now, you are not alone. There are people out there who can help you through this period of transition as you adjust to life outside Iraq.

:hug:

[Skittles]

5. I come home to an empty apartment every day

(OK I do have cats).....learn to like your own company....it's much easier that way

[MrsBrady]

10. welcome to DU

please take care of yourself
:hi:

[emilyg]

11. Sorry you're sad

:hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

12. I'm so sorry...

:hug::hug::hug:
It gets awfully quiet when the kids aren't home.

Is there any way you can plan for the times when your kids aren't with you? Keeping busy is a good way to combat loneliness.
:hug::hug::hug:

[Danger Mouse]

13. Welcome to DU.

:hug:

[lizziegrace]

14. Welcome to DU

My daughter leaves in two weeks to finish her last year in college. She'll be over 400 miles away. I moved to Wisconsin two months ago and will be coming home to an empty apartment every evening, much like you. Many of us are alone and while it really doesn't get easier (at least not for me), you get used to it.

I volunteer a lot. Keeps my mind occupied, forces me to spend time with other people (when I'd rather hide) and helps balance my mood.

:hug:


Oh, and talking on DU helps a lot.

:)

P.S. You got a "Yes INDEED" from Skittles. I'm impressed!

[amitten]

15. Nothing's as sure as change, and this will change, too.

Things are bound to look up eventually--they always do.

[applegrove]

17. So sorry. But at least you get your kids part of the time. Live for those great days.

You'll never regret it.

[easttexaslefty]

18. It sounds like you are really sad

I hope things turn around for you really soon:hug:

[mopinko]

19. sigh. so many like you.

a neighbor of mine who has done 3 tours as a mid-50's national guardsman (he is a pipeline engineer) is on the verge of divorcing his second wife. they are just not adjusting, when so much has changed. he is having so much trouble here that he signed up to go back for another tour.
seems like every story i hear about guys coming back has this sad ending.
there just has to be a better way.

you know, there was an interesting discussion that relates to this on npr sunday night. it was a discussion about native americans serving in combat, and made some very interesting statements about native traditions around returning from wars. described how warriors told their stories over and over to the tribal mothers. so sensible. we treat our vets like shit.

best of luck, friend. hope you get what you need.

[Kajsa]

20. Welcome to DU, Hoffyburger.

You are one fantastic guy!

:hug:

[Sequoia]

21. Maybe you need a kitten.

To fill up that hole in your heart. I'm sorry you're sad.

[bertha katzenengel]

22. I'm sorry, hoffyburger.

:hug: <- I mean it