...definitely singing from the same sheet as Mrs Lemon, Liz, jOhn & beadie! After traumatic & stressful 2002, was offered the usual "things will get brighter", "you don't deserve such bad events/circumstances", "the future must be better" last Xmas. Sadly 2003 bought a new handful of those events that usually score hightly on those lists of "most stressful life events".

The adage "Life is what you make it" is usually proferred by those who may well have been through some dark times for limited periods, but who were fortunate enough to have some trace of solid foundations on which to build a happier life (e.g. good physical/emotional health, money, loving family/friends). Yes the content & quality of your life can be influenced to some extent by your actions, but you have to start from the point you are at now, with the raw materials in your possession. If you're starting on solid ground, you can build anything on top. If fate has dealt you a small patch of marshland/quicksand, then it will not be possible to build such a safe, solid life (not unless a lot of new outside help appears).

We all want our lives to be happy, heathly, fulfilled, secure. That's what we ALL try to make it.

Life is the best we can make it given our circumstances; sometimes, those circumstances can be, and for a long time remain, shite.

Julie B