@amberpep So sorry to hear about your sister-in-law's passing. Memorials are for those still here, but that doesn't mean that you have to be there in person to have your own memorial for her. Even if you were not close to her, there may be things that you remember about her that are positive. Remember those times and remember that for the next however long you may see/smell/hear things that will remind you of her. And that is okay.

Feeling isolated from family is something that a lot of us have felt. It's something that we have to work on all the time, and we have to make the decision whether we are okay with that isolation or not. Sometimes it is in our best interest [emotionally, mentally and physically] to be isolated from them. Sometimes we need to "get out of our own way" and make an attempt to not be so isolated. Listening to your own self will let you know what is going to work best for you.

Regarding the idea of your transitions group versus your therapist and feeling that you have lost another one of your safety net people. I think I can understand where your therapist is coming from. I recall you told us all of the work that you did before this transition group, and it seems like he was key in that. So you have that and can be very thankful for that. Now, you have the opportunity to spread your wings a little bit and put into practice what you learned about yourself, about the peeling of the onion's layers. I don't think that he would have you stopped interacting with him unless he felt that you were ready for it and ready for you to see how far you've come! Don't take it as a negative but as a positive, showing that he feels that you are ready to take the steps on your own, to fly. I'll wager you will find you are stronger than you believe. Thank him for believing in you and believing that you're ready. Now you need to believe it too!

Will you check back in with us and let us know how you are doing?
Ginger