I suppose it had to happen.

Just tapped on Miss Burnie's door and stuck my head in to say good night. Room empty. Realised she left home today.

Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

Sorry to hear that if it is a bad thing. It might help you to make choices you would eventually have to make later. Roy

I was curious so I went back to last month's post and read your reappearance message. I assumed Miss Burnie was Mrs Burnie. I am glad I was wrong. Having a child leave without notice cannot be easy. Mine all left with notice and 2 out of 3 came back more than once. I hope if there are bad feelings they can be resolved. I congratulate you on getting your life back together. I see these happenings and can see myself in your situation. I have been unemployed twice since I was 50 and it really hits below the belt. I also suffer from mental issues and 10 months ago my wife passed from the effects of cancer. It is a daily struggle to do my job with a malfunctioning brain. Do what you have to, to keep the relationship going with the daughter. It is a part of life that they leave the nest, and there will be great changes, and hopefully not hardships she cannot handle. You having your troubles during her teen years had to be difficult for her in a real uncertain, dynamically changing period of her life. Hopefully she realizes that you are doing your best at a difficult job of being a husband and father. If she doesn't realize it, tell her. My son's ex wife lost her father to a heart attack when she was 14 or 15 and that caused her a lot of emotional issues dealing with everything. With mental issues like you say you had, it could be like Miss Burnie didn't have a father at times and that certainly can change a girl. E-mail is open I think

Everything is fine guys. Sorry if I freaked you out a bit. It was just a quick post I wrote before going to bed, but looking at it again I can see it could be intrerpreted as something bad.
Miss Burnie packed some gear and drove off yesterday to start an adventure after huggs and kisses and with the blessings of her parents. She has moved to Brisbane (two & a half hours away) to work and study at university part-time. She has moved in with a family friend (she is like an aunt). We have been planning this for months and most of our family live down that way, so we are all very excited about the move.
IA Roy, thank you very much for your kind words and support. I have always had a close and open relationship with my daughter, but you are right; she was affected by my illness, and we worked hard to maintain the relationship. Thankfully it turned out for the better. Sorry to hear that things are not so good with you at the moment. It sure can be a real struggle to keep it together but you just have to do it one step at a time. I developed a five step program, so let me know if you would like me to put it up as a post. In the meantime make sure you look after yourself mate.

I would be interested in seeing your 5 step program. I am sure there are others in the same boat, but try to keep it to themselves.