Unfortunately, my parents divorced when I was young - maybe about 7 years old. I say 'unfortunately' because I don't feel I got the same bonding as my older siblings. On the other hand, there were advantages of having a single mother. Mom wasn't even a high school graduate and with limited skills managed to raise five children. With limited education and skills, she did what she had to do and worked nights, in local taverns. My siblings were often responsible for me, limiting their childhood - something I had no control over.
During those years, Mom also had cancer and was a survivor. We lost Mom and Dad both at a young age (6 weeks of one another, both 67), but she lived with and survived cancer. Cancer was not the catalyst of her death.
Setting the groundwork, my point to all of this is that I am so thankful that Mom taught me to be independent and a survivor. I learned early on I would be better off if I could do things myself, rather than have to depend on a man - or a contractor. It's been a money saver and has helped me defeat co-dependency. Mom was a strong woman ... a woman who got more pleasure from helping others than even doing for herself. Yes, there were times when I needed help, but don't we all, at times?
What made me think about this today was when I installed a new shower head. Yesterday I bought a "used" one at a garage sale. I've changed them before. Actually, I even had a brand new one, never opened. I bought it on sale over a year ago and have been 'saving it' because I had plans to move to a larger place. I already had my old shower head taken apart and looked closer at the used one I had bought - it was "cracked". That was a "bite", considering I even asked the woman why they were selling it, grrrr ... thanks, lady!
Anyway, having it already taken down I decided I may as well install the brand new one (a bit more complicated than the standard). I swear it took more time to get INTO THE PACKAGE, than it did to put together and install the new one ... no wonder things cost so much ... sheeesh.
Because of a "crack" in the old shower head, I had a new experience, mastered and installed the new one, and realized ... I'VE BEEN MISSING THIS, ALL THIS TIME, BECAUSE OF A "MAYBE"! That was the best shower I've had in a long, long time!!! ... and didn't need to ask for help to install it! Simple pleasures ... I'm a 'tough nut to CRACK'! *smile*