Hey Tammy, no don't worry, you have not dampened my spirits. I am a realist and I am prepared for the worst. I am guessing that it will take quite a bit to get everyone to see it from my point of view.

I had a session with my Psychologist tonight and she is very proud of me. She is a trauma specialist and says that I seem to have a good handle on how to care for someone with PTSD effectively. She said that 9 out of 10 carers get it all wrong and never really get it to "click" That shocked me. So few people...

She jokingly suggested I "kidnap him" and take him away for Christmas to eliminate the risk of any negative interactions. But then she seriously added that if I feel him out about how he feels about Christmas and he indicates that he would rather not do the family thing, I should try my best to do whatever it takes to keep them away from him. I need to protect him because he is in no state to protect himself. He will only get overwhelmed and damage his realtionships more. They will realise eventualy and hopefully one day understand, and if not, too bad.

I have distributed the summary (got it down to 3 pages!) to all of our family, both his and mine. My family are tops, the all understand and are behind me all the way. Have not had a chance to suss his family out yet. But they haven't all contacted me of their own accord to say thanks for the info and that they will do their best. Many in my family have done, so I think they are wonderful .

Now all I have to do is find a nice little place not too far from here that allows a dog that isn't booked at Christmas, just in case he wants to go for it (and I have a feeling he just might) - yep, wish me luck finding something at such late notice!

Anybody got a house at Capel, Moore River, anything quite close like that, anyone?....

I am glad to be smiling today, I hope he is too.