Something that makes me feel better

I don't have many "blue" days. Thankfully they are few and far between these days and generally I am very contented with my lot. The hardest days are when I have had family or close friends staying - and they leave. All of a sudden the house is empty and quiet again and I feel sad.

So, how do I cope on those days and what makes me feel better? Depending on the weather and what else is going on in my life at the time, I do one or more of the following:

• I put on my favourite CDs and play them really loudly while I strip beds and get the house back to normal.
• I leave everything just as it is, grab my purse and head out for some comfort shopping
• Ring a girlfriend and go out for coffee
• Visit one of my four daughters or my parents

I am at my loneliest when I am sad as there is no one else in the house to share the moment with. But I do have two cats and a dog - and they are pretty good listeners and allow me to cuddle them at the same time.

Other things that make me feel better are the spontaneous texts and phone calls from family and friends, the drop in visits, the invitations out, a beautiful flower.

I have simple needs - the company of those I love (and who love me) is all I need to make me feel better.