This is a hard post for me.
After eight years caring for Mrs Smug I've finally lost the battle. She became totally dependent on alcohol, depressed and suffering anxiety attacks. During that time she's had four serious suicide attempts and other 'cries for help'.
I've fought to get her the help she needed, tried to get her family involved and done everything possible to make her life wonderful. It was wonderful but nothing helped ... the depression made her drink and the drink made her depressed.
We've been employed by bankers, Sheikhs, Oligarchs as well as lovely and decent normal people. We've lived in the most incredible places, had power boats and brought family & friends to the property, from the airport, in the company helicopter. We've also had immense respect and affection from some of the property owners including this one.
Nothing worked, absolutely nothing and it's been a huge test but, thankfully, I'm an eternal optimist who believes that being kind, generous and decent with people eventually comes back on you. If I've been abrupt with people on here I'll apologise up to a point but almost always stand by what I post.
Mrs Smug has now gone to be cared for by her family, good luck to them all. Some of you may have noticed I've quite often talked about an upcoming match, where I've booked a ticket, travel and accommodation, only to say, on the day, that Mrs Smug couldn't be left. That's when I've given my ticket away and apologised.
On other occasions I've taken a chance, gone to the game and had a cracking time with the lads. Sadly, as soon as I was on the train home, I've starting calling home and getting no answer. I've called and texted all the way home becoming more and more anxious ... multiple attempted suicides has that effect.
I've arrived home to find a drunken heap on the floor who's become violent when woken. Now she's elsewhere I can happily plan trips/flights/trains for games like this weekend. I'm off soon to stay in North Shields, with friends, so I don't have another 'crack of dawn' saga tomorrow
After decades of generally happy marriage, that was bliss for the first ten years, it's hard but I'm a happy bloke who always finds a way through whatever life throws at me ...
... so now that's off my chest, HA’WAY THE LADS and let's get back to the top of that table![]()
Huge Respect Smug.
