Donna, I'm very sorry to hear this. I'm no stranger to hard times for sure so I know how you feel. What kind of people would treat someone the way your former employer treated you? Talk about cold and heartless. It doesn't seem like it now but maybe it's a blessing in disguise. Maybe your life is meant to go in another direction. I'm 54 years old and I recently left my fulltime job for several reasons. I didn't work for awhile but I decided to go back because I need health insurance. I took a simple clerical test for my county, passed the test, and landed a fabulous job. Great pay for half the hours I was working before, great benefits, wonderful co-workers, and all around, I now have the perfect job. I feel like I've died and gone to heaven. My co-workers and employers like me and I've already been offered more hours and more responsibility. I'm so happy Things couldn't have worked out any better. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, don't think that anyone won't hire you at the age of 52. You will be the more mature worker that is dedicated to her job and all employers will see that. Don't get discouraged. This is not the end of the world even though I know you feel pretty lousy right now. Whatever you do, don't take that drink!!! You need to be in control of your life right now and the alcohol would be controlling you. I'm certainly no stranger to alcoholism either. (((((HUGS))))) to you and hang in there. Things will get better. Please PM me anytime.
Terry
edit to add: I sound like a broken record, but I'm no stranger to bossy, controlling family members either. I've learned to go with the philosophy that: they aren't in my shoes and never have been, so how can they possibly know how to tell me how to run my life? I try to avoid those people whenever possible