Allan C. ... I, too, am a Navy brat. Until age 15, when my father retired from the Navy, I had never lived anywhere longer than 18 months. I am a rover and have never understood the people who say, with pride, that they have lived in the same house, same town, etc. all their lives. I can physically feel the boredom creeping in. In addition, I am the oldest of three daughters. I am fiercely independent and described as one who "dances to her own tune." I take responsibility for all the areas of my life and have little patience with those who don't. In some aspects, I'm staunchly intolerant, however, in many areas I'm exceedingly empathetic. I've been engaged five times and have been so deeply in love that it hurt, however, the thought of being married or living all the time with someone else in the house causes a panic attack which starts at my toes and works its way upward. The same thing with owning a home. My father is always trying to coerce me into buying a house and I cannot stand the thought of being tied down to something material. (Just writing it makes my chest tight!)

Annap ... I understand all too well disfunctional families. I was always very proud of the fact that my parents were still married and together, although they argued and my father was very demeaning; then my bubble burst when my parents divorce was final on my 40th birthday.

I've now told you far more than I ever intended, but I'm feeling particularly vulnerable tonight and really needed to pound my keyboard! Funny how I can write it but I cannot say it! moonchild