They are art, @Bow. Meaningful relationships are what I am seeking. Not even necessarily friends, just genuine, human interaction that doesn't leave me feeling like I'm being circled by predators.
One is with an art therapy group in a community service setting which I approached for help when I was in the direst straits at least a year ago, likely considerably more–even 18–24 months ago. I was absolutely desperate and didn't know which way to turn. As always happens, I just wasn't the right fit for their groups–or any other, it seems. No-one can ever help me despite the vast array of 'help' available. Out of the blue, I was rung last week to see if I was interested in the art therapy group.
Forgive me for being curious, sceptical, suspicious as to why they couldn't help me when I was in the direst straits, yet can now 'help' me when I've managed to heal considerably by my own efforts, but I've had this tactic used on me many times. They all abandon me until I break, and then they move in and pretend they are my friends. (Yeah, right!). My family tried the same tactic, but a convenient time didn't happen. They could assess my current state during telephone calls between my parents, with whom I was in regular contact, and my daughters, and were aware that I just hadn't broken sufficiently.
I have a neighbour (among many others) who tried this tactic too. He used to play chicken with me whenever I was walking past his house as he was entering or leaving his property. It happened about 4 times, and another when he had been mowing, and couldn't resist the temptation to rush out onto the footpath and cross right in front of me. I never broke stride. The following xmas he knocked on my door and left a gift from his wife and him. I gave him a written response he wasn't expecting and haven't had any trouble since.
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So, to answer your question @Bow, art, simply art and a whole lot more in the unspoken undercurrent.
