STBX left for California about a month ago. She is “finding herself”. I guess this is her midlife crisis and she does not know how to deal with it. She is from Cali and has family there but has not even gone to see them. Whatever…. She left, then kid 1, said I’m out too. That I am happy about. 2020 ruined graduation and 2021 wasn’t much better. Kid 1 needed to get off the couch and do something that other 18 years are doing, experience life. Kid 1 is happy and hanging with family in another state. But, that left me and Kid 2. Kid 2 is significantly younger. Not mature enough to really comprehend what is going on. I do try to make things as happy as possible. I don’t bad mouth STBX in front of kid 2. I try to remain positive. However, when you’re sick, like kid 1 is right now, there is really only one person who makes you feel better. And she is not here! Hell, I am almost halfway to 100 and my mom still makes me feel better. I am saying lots of swear words really loud in my head right now ‘cuz kid 2 is finally asleep. Goddammit this is so frustrating! Bah!!!! Thanks for listening.

Update: Kid 2 kicked COVID’s butt! Sore throat was the biggest complaint. I did as suggested as was just present the whole way through. Of course that means I got COVID too, but meh. Worth it. I am on the tail end of it now. On set was terrible, afterwards it didn’t feel any worse than a bad cold. Guess we were lucky. Thanks for the support.