Update:
My mom drove down this morning and we got the tire situation squared away. (I am one of the lucky ones, who has always had a great mom in my corner.) A full new set (4 tires), and this needed to happen because the current tires I have were definitely not going to get me through another winter.
It will be a couple of days before the tires come in and can be installed, and my current ones will muddle through until then. (Add air as needed...).
This situation also made me assess a few things like the fact that is okay to honestly say you are not okay. I've never actually been able to say that until now. And setting down that particular mask was something I needed to do for a very long time.
I was so afraid of being viewed as a failure or a disappointment because I couldn't meet a pretty routine challenge simply because I wasn't doing enough. I was honest with my Mom about this fact, that I was worried I had disappointed her, but I didn't. There was no judgment, no resentment. Just my mom and it was one of those moments that really reminds you of how truly good people can be, whether they are family, friends, or members of one's (RL or online) community.
Such folks are a privilege to know and not everyone is lucky enough to encounter such people. Just let me say that you folks here on this forum are among those who are a privilege to know and interact with.
Compassion, kindness, wisdom, and a wealth of resources flowed into this thread and its impact has been huge. You folks matter, you make a difference, and knowing you are here makes the world a brighter place.
Thank you for all you do.
- D.
