I was really hung up on an ex for the first couple years after college. So much so that it prevented me from meeting new people. (I would wait for her phone calls instead of going out with friends or other girls who were interested in me.) Finally, a friend, who I eventually started dating, pulled me out of it. We get by with a little help from our friends (particularly our friends with benefits). 

Also, cocaine. As Rick James said, it's a hell of a drug! Oh, and omelets made from endangered condor eggs. What can I say? I have high class tastes.

Hmmm, tough one. Been a lot of hard endings in my life, and a lot of hard beginnings. They go hand in hand and are part of the fun.

I'd say the hardest beginning though was when I got handed a warm, squirming bundle of blanket containing a bright red, wrinkled, frankly hideous and very pissed off baby and told by the midwife - she is yours to look after, forever. Trust me - films, games, books - nothing prepares you for that. I gazed at her, petrified, thinking "What the hell have we done!" 

She sort of shuffled around in my arms and met my eyes. A hand waved out of the blanket and caught my thumb, surprisingly hard. 

Her eyes were exactly the same as mine. I was lost. The only case of love at first sight I have ever had, or believe in. You are a semi free agent, then suddenly you are a Dad. That hits like a hammer and demolishes your entire world.

The hardest thing I ever tried to give up was you, Carrie, but I've failed time and time again. Now I realize that it's futile; I'm never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down, nor will I run around and desert you. I also vow not to make you cry, say goodbye, or tell a lie and hurt you.

You wouldn't get this from any other guy.

Once upon a time, I was dating a woman who clearly wasn't good for me. But I stuck around anyway. Blame youth. Blame Canada. Heck, blame it on the alcohol. She had my soul but we go along like Ike and Tina Turner. One day I decided that I wasn't happy and wanted to let it burn like Usher. But it took a lot out if me because I didn't want to lose her. Oh well, I finally did. Then I started Facebook and the rest is rock and roll history. By the way, that last sentence might not be completely true.

I once had to give up a fantastic therapist because he no longer accepted my insurance plan. It was hard. It was painful. It was balls-out infuriating. Can one put a price on mental health? Yes, turns out he could.  I was confronted with a very real dilemma: pay this dude an enormous sum or tear myself from his brilliant support and go at it alone. 

 

Well, I walked. Was it worth it? Hmm...hard to say. Ask me in a few months...ask me in a few months.

The hardest person I ever gave up was my first love. OK, so he gave me up. And then I gave him up. And then him, and then me and so forth. But the final giving up was the hardest thing I'd done. Somehow I confused his instability and lies with artistic magic. He had a job writing for someone famous, he traveled to exotic locations, he made me giggle and melt. I thought I'd never get over him. And then one day, after a very many days, I finally did forget about him. I started writing for a famous person myself. I saved up and took the trips that used to make me jealous. I became the person I wanted to be instead of living vicariously through him. And for what it's worth, I also met someone WAAAAY better times a million. That first guy? I can tell you his name, but that's about it. New beginnings are hard and scary, but they're the best gift you'll ever give yourself. Happy New Year!!