"I'll Bet I'm Jealous of Her."

Even though I didn't both to note Mom's "So who's this man you love?" question in 2003, in early January 2004, I did note her pondering why she didn't enjoy a friend as much as she once had.

I called Mother, who said she and Kathy were going to get together with Olga Sousa, not a really close friend but one they liked and had known for a long time.

"I'm not really looking forward to it," Mom told me.  "I just don't enjoy her as much as I once did.  I don't know why.  She hasn't done anything wrong.  Oh, I'll bet it's because she's my age and she's doing better than I am.  She's more active.  I'll bet I’m jealous of her!”

I was (and continue to be) really impressed by Mom's being able to admit this.  So often people find excuses for rejecting or criticizing another person and never own up to the possibility that their negative feelings might be jealousy.