Take all the time you need. Your readers have been here for quite a while now and they aren't going anywhere. Please listen to your body and remember to take care of yourself Al.

Be well my friend and focus on the things that are the most important. I've found out the hard way that trying to be a superhero is a losing proposition for everyone concerned in the long run.

Be safe, and take care of yourself.

I have already said to you what I wanted to say, so for now just a ((((hug))))

Though new to your blog, I have so far benefited from your perspective. I will be back. Do what you need to do; that is the most important thing. May you find blessings along the way.

Agree with the previous sentiments. Take care of you and come back your witty, highly intelligent, and slightly acerbic self. I miss that!

Another relatively new visitor to your blog, I wanted to comment (though I almost never do this, I'm already cringing!) that I wish all of the best to you and your family, Al. This site has been helpful, touching, and enlightening to me at a bad stage in my life, and I'll await your return in whatever capacity you choose. I'm sure it will be wonderful.

Hi Miko,

Thanks for coming by the site. I was pleased to hear you were able to gain something here. The fact that you felt comfortable enough to post a comment.made my day. Thanks.

Hope things get better for you as well.

So glad to see self-care is part of your coping mechanisms. Everyone here knows the emotional cost of maintaining a blog. Let go, and we'll be here whenever you have the energy to return. Continued prayers for you and your family.

Oh honey I wish you were over here now. I could take you out to the local pub to relax with a Guiness. But that wouldn't really work, as you have described Guiness as a "hideous invention that looks like it has a frothy urinary tract infection". So that move is out.

My rather odd and circuitous point being, I wish there was something I could do that would help you through this time, but all I or anyone else can do is offer support. On that end, your back is covered. Take care.

Taking care of the three-dimensional realm is so important. We your readers can wait for you to have the time, energy, focus, and desire to return.

In the meantime, Al, from here in the first weeks of my own possibly endless blogging hiatus, am wishing you well and thinking of you fondly. I hope your crises resolve without too much more heartache.

As I've stated before, you and your family are in my prayers and thoughts. And will remain there. I believe you know the friends you've made online go deeper than a lot of blogs. And as others have stated, I'll be waiting for your return, when you're ready, Al. Sending BIG (((HUGS))) your way and wishing the best outcome for you and your family.

Love you,

Teri

Don't want to leave so many messages it's annoying, but in the interest of regular checking in to say I'm thinking of you, passing on a poem a friend sent to me in a period of heavy losses:

Advice

I am not going to give you any advice
because in a moment you can lose all the beautiful things
you have loved.
And then it will be hard
and for a long time
to look at the sky
and the clouds will be your enemy
and the moon will be a knife.

Beatrice Hawley

Hey Al, I hope you know that even though I've been taking my own (unannounced, spur of the moment) hiatus, I think of you and send you good thoughts...