Praeteritum nobiscum est
Many many years ago the shy wee boy who would later paint this model was bullied badly at secondary school. Then he picked up the first of two very big chronic illnesses, before quietly failing most of his exams while his family broke up and he was kind of just left to it.
After a few decades later he had got married to a brilliant lady, worked various average jobs, some of which were good at the time. Became self-employed three times, snagged a degree, got more confident and up till two years ago you would probably look at him working to better a local community and just think he was a bit quiet.
Then the rug was pulled out from under him, in hindsight helped by unrecognised self-esteem issues carried from way back. Too many people are prepared to see introverted as exploitable. By the time he was in hospital after a fourth heart attack it would be fair to say he wasn't coping very well.
There's anxiety in any medical situation, and even going to the local Tesco. Lots of putting on a face for the world. There are depressive mood swings causing unfair family pressure. A sense of failure and life's boundaries closing in. And above it all, a daily reminder of a heart-related ticking clock which could upend everything again.
Facebook is full of happy people have a successful life, but like a lot of things in today's society, much of this is smoke and mirrors. This shy wee boy eventually opened up to the person closest to him and asked for help from people best placed to give it, him being the last person who would ask for help. And if he could do it, and you need it, then try to talk to someone.
Now he's enjoying time with his family, excercising and being active within his means, working part-time in a dull job to pay some bills. REALLY enjoying his time in the Broch, which doesn't feel like work at all and is very theraputic. Getting some gaming in, trying to meet up with friends more, living in the moment, because the moments are what we all have and they should be excellent.
Aware that this genie doesn't go back in the bottle. But if you're wondering why the release schedule gets erratic sometimes or Carnival of Monsters 2 hasn't been out yet this is (partly) why.
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