I am my own worst enemy. I'm stubborn. I'm independent. I find it next to impossible to ask for help (no matter how much I may need it). I doubt that anyone who knows me well would dispute a single word of that.
It is therefore a Very Good Thing that I have some of the most amazing, incredible friends ever who are more than worth their weight in gold..
Last night I had a message from one of those friends saying that she would be free today and asking if I would like her to come over (a mere 1.5 - 2 hour drive) and help me start getting sorted for Christmas. Stubborn I may be but as I tend not to bite off my nose to spite my face, I said "Yes, please".
She duly arrived early this afternoon and informed me that she had been in touch with a charity in Shrewsbury who provide all sorts of practical care for people in my situation. She then told me they were expecting a phone call from me this afternoon. She heated up some soup for lunch accompanied by lovely fresh french bread. After lunch she put the phone number in front of me and gave me The Look.
I rang and they were wonderful. They can help me find a cleaner. They suggested I considered finding a laundry service who will collect and deliver. I would never have thought of that but I've had a Google and it looks like I may have a couple of options. They can even help me re-home the ZombieCats if none of the options I'm already exploring for that work out.
My friend then helped do a bit of tidying and has taken away several bags of recycling.
She even brought me a small Christmas tree.
There are no words to express my gratitude to her. She is one in a million. No. That's wrong. She is one in a billion.