There are some wonderful dates of course, some family birthdates, including my daughter's. But even that brings a pain to my heart to reflect on.
That date hurts, because her father was hardly present for much of my pregnancy, and even though he was there for her birth... I realize looking back, he wasn't really present. In fact, he was halfway across the room just moments before she was born and almost missed it.
Then he was there, for a while, sort of, off and on, for months.
And then he wasn't. And I spent months and months wondering, fighting, trying all I could to figure it out, get it back, move on, etc.
A year ago today, I decided it must actually be over, and I knew deep down I should look into a divorce, because he was just stringing me along and he wasn't going to do it himself. It took me quite a few days, until I finally met with my caseworker at the transitional housing/homeless shelter we were living at and told her my decision. That was March 18.
On March 21, he showed up right outside our housing before the kids and I had to be inside for bed. He seemed different, and told me he wanted to try and reconcile the family. I was blown away. The next day, I met with him, without the kids, and he confessed his many wrongs that he had done against me and our marriage. There were dark secrets, huge mistakes, and shocking facts. But he told me he hit rock bottom, explained when and how and the person he met and talked to that made him realize his huge mistakes and how badly he wanted and needed his family back. He asked for my forgiveness, and I gave it to him. I told him my terms for trying to mend things and how it was going to be difficult, intense work. He told me he was all in.
Easter happened on April 5 last year, Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays. We were given the opportunity to spend it at a friend's house, together. I didn't know it at the time, but it would be the last real holiday we spent together.
Our daughter's due date came, which was the date we set for her first birthday party. He showed, but he was incredibly late, and it took near begging to get him to actually arrive. He left quickly, secretively, and in a hurry, and did not return like he promised he would.
Her birthday was April 15. We met up with him for what would be the last birthday the children spent with him. He agreed to meet us at the mall for cake and play time. He stayed possibly an hour and then had to hurry off.
The very next day, while I was at work, I was contacted by a man I had never heard of, nor met, asking how to reach him. I asked this guy how he knew my husband. He said he was his boyfriend of a month. I felt the earth shatter below me, my heart crumble, and my throat close off. I trembled, lightheaded, thinking I may pass out. When I was given a chance, I ran to the bathroom without a word, where I fell apart, sobbing in a stall.
I confronted him. He told me he wasn't dating this man, and that they were friends, and the guy was obviously just trying to make a mess of our marriage now that we were trying to reconcile. I met him on April 18th, my youngest sister's birthday,where he gave me a much more detailed explanation and his plan as to how he would prove that it wasn't true and he was wholeheartedly trying to stay married and get his kids back. He swore to me he wouldn't talk to this guy again.
I decided to try to believe him, but I was incredibly reserved because his story and plan seemed suspicious.
It's a year later, and all of these "anniversary" dates are coming up. I try not to think of them, but somehow they're embedded inside my heart. They're like a bad tattoo scar that's trying to heal. I know that they may always be there, but I pray that they will fade, peacefully and quickly.
My heart and mind have always operated in this fashion. I try not to dwell on dates, but dates are important in our society and when I see them on the date that big events happen, I remember them. I always have. And when each year passes, the memories flash back in movie fashion, and I try to fast forward through them so I can move onto what coming up next. But it isn't always easy.
I don't write this to air our "laundry," but rather to process it myself, and to be able to hopefully prepare my heart and my mind for the days ahead. Often, when I get things out through my blog, it is therapeutic in that way, and I am much less likely to be blindsided by potent emotions.
I guess we will see.
Each year will be easier, I know, from experiences in the past. I will try to enjoy Easter this year without too many flashbacks, as well as our daughter's second birthday. They're two of the greatest dates littered amongst the many.
As I know from experience, also, God is on my side, and when my legs give out and my tears cloud my eyes, He will pick me right up and carry me through.
Then he was there, for a while, sort of, off and on, for months.
And then he wasn't. And I spent months and months wondering, fighting, trying all I could to figure it out, get it back, move on, etc.
A year ago today, I decided it must actually be over, and I knew deep down I should look into a divorce, because he was just stringing me along and he wasn't going to do it himself. It took me quite a few days, until I finally met with my caseworker at the transitional housing/homeless shelter we were living at and told her my decision. That was March 18.
On March 21, he showed up right outside our housing before the kids and I had to be inside for bed. He seemed different, and told me he wanted to try and reconcile the family. I was blown away. The next day, I met with him, without the kids, and he confessed his many wrongs that he had done against me and our marriage. There were dark secrets, huge mistakes, and shocking facts. But he told me he hit rock bottom, explained when and how and the person he met and talked to that made him realize his huge mistakes and how badly he wanted and needed his family back. He asked for my forgiveness, and I gave it to him. I told him my terms for trying to mend things and how it was going to be difficult, intense work. He told me he was all in.
Easter happened on April 5 last year, Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays. We were given the opportunity to spend it at a friend's house, together. I didn't know it at the time, but it would be the last real holiday we spent together.
Our daughter's due date came, which was the date we set for her first birthday party. He showed, but he was incredibly late, and it took near begging to get him to actually arrive. He left quickly, secretively, and in a hurry, and did not return like he promised he would.
Her birthday was April 15. We met up with him for what would be the last birthday the children spent with him. He agreed to meet us at the mall for cake and play time. He stayed possibly an hour and then had to hurry off.
The very next day, while I was at work, I was contacted by a man I had never heard of, nor met, asking how to reach him. I asked this guy how he knew my husband. He said he was his boyfriend of a month. I felt the earth shatter below me, my heart crumble, and my throat close off. I trembled, lightheaded, thinking I may pass out. When I was given a chance, I ran to the bathroom without a word, where I fell apart, sobbing in a stall.
I confronted him. He told me he wasn't dating this man, and that they were friends, and the guy was obviously just trying to make a mess of our marriage now that we were trying to reconcile. I met him on April 18th, my youngest sister's birthday,where he gave me a much more detailed explanation and his plan as to how he would prove that it wasn't true and he was wholeheartedly trying to stay married and get his kids back. He swore to me he wouldn't talk to this guy again.
I decided to try to believe him, but I was incredibly reserved because his story and plan seemed suspicious.
It's a year later, and all of these "anniversary" dates are coming up. I try not to think of them, but somehow they're embedded inside my heart. They're like a bad tattoo scar that's trying to heal. I know that they may always be there, but I pray that they will fade, peacefully and quickly.
My heart and mind have always operated in this fashion. I try not to dwell on dates, but dates are important in our society and when I see them on the date that big events happen, I remember them. I always have. And when each year passes, the memories flash back in movie fashion, and I try to fast forward through them so I can move onto what coming up next. But it isn't always easy.
I don't write this to air our "laundry," but rather to process it myself, and to be able to hopefully prepare my heart and my mind for the days ahead. Often, when I get things out through my blog, it is therapeutic in that way, and I am much less likely to be blindsided by potent emotions.
I guess we will see.
Each year will be easier, I know, from experiences in the past. I will try to enjoy Easter this year without too many flashbacks, as well as our daughter's second birthday. They're two of the greatest dates littered amongst the many.
As I know from experience, also, God is on my side, and when my legs give out and my tears cloud my eyes, He will pick me right up and carry me through.
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