Rhobin Courtright keeps us going with the most interesting questions. This month's is "What is the scariest thing that's ever happened to you." While God has blessed me with good heath and free from terminal diseases up to this point, I stole my entry from "My Gusty Story" that took first place. It's no picnic when you find yorself ending marriage at a time when most people are planning for retirement and a way to enjoy their golden years together. So...here is my answer to Rhobins Round Robin Question:
At
a time when I was looking forward to midlife security and being proud
of our achievements as a couple, I instead had to decide if I wanted
to live in the continuing fear of what I’d find on the other side
of the front door when I walked inside. I’d already found him
passed out more times than I could count, with a cigarette smoldering
in the carpet and the house in disarray. Our younget son had long
ago stopped asking his friends over because his dad didn’t grasp
the concept we all shared the same home. Our feelings ceased to
matter.
The
day I came home and found my husband...this man I had loved for so
many years, passed out, naked, and soaked in urine, his usual
cigarette burning yet another hole in the carpet we couldn’t afford
to replace, was the day I decided I had to be the one to make the
change. I couldn’t stand one more day of questioning my own
integrity. Had I caused him to turn to drink? I went to an AA
meeting and listened to stories like mine, but no one there had
solutions either. Others continued to live in the same hell, day
after day, but that wasn’t what I wanted. Choices are pretty
limited when you find yourself facing a difficult one. If you want
someone to change and they won’t, your only option is to remove
yourself from the situation. I’d movedd right from my parent’s
house to a duplex I shared with my new husband, so I’d never been
alone. Could I find the inner strength I needed?
Starting
over at forty-nine wasn’t an easy decision. Somehow, I mustered my
determination, packed some clothes and walked out, leaving him with
the house I once loved, and everything except the few things I
needed. Luckily, I had shared my story with a co-worker who left me
a key to her house and told me she had an extra room. I took her up
on the offer. Living in one bedroom, surrounded by nothing that
belonged to me was hell. I don’t know which was worse–my living
arrangements or still trying to work things out in my head.
I’d
tried to make my husband understand that love is comprised of trust
and respect, and everytime he lied or I saw him in such a repulsive
state, the loss of trust and respect chipped away at any love I felt.
I’d often wondered about the saying “I love him but I’m not
‘in love’ with him,” meant. Suddently I knew what those words
meant. God granted me sisters for moral support, and one,
gratefully, for financial. With her help, I was able to get into my
own apartment for the first time in my life and see what being
independent was truly like.
Once
the house we shared sold, my husband relocated to the apartments next
door to mine. I tried several times to tell him I was moving on
without him, but he seemed not to believe me–or didn’t want to.
In desperation, Iput my feelings in writing, and explained I couldn’t
be the one to help him heal.In my written plea, I also told him I
wished him well, would always care for him, but in order to open new
doors, I had to close the ones I’d left open. That was my gutsy
moment–picturing him standing on the other side while I moved
blindly into a new life, not knowing what to expect. That decision
was the most frightful I’d ever made, but you know what?
Sometimes, the unions we consider are the best are missing elements
we never realize until we seize the moment and make a change.
These magnificent authors are also participating. Please visit their sites:
Another scary moment and so much bravery and insight. Good luck with it all, Ginger, Anne Stenhouse
ReplyDeleteSo much scary exists in our lives, and making choices can be one of the scariest. Gutsy, indeed, Miz Ginger.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on taking the chance on making yourself happy. It was a gusty decision and while there are times you may regret it, when you miss the good times you remember having with him, I'm sure the peace and satisfaction of knowing your things will be as you left them when you get home, is gratifying.
ReplyDeleteI like the saying: Women are like teabags--you don't know how strong they are until you get them in hot water.
That was a gutsy move, but also the best one for you. Everyone is responsible for their own choices. He made the choice to drink. Perhaps he was an addict, but when someone refuses to get help, there is nothing you can do but take care of yourself. Good for you.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Marci
That took such courage, Ginger. I commend you for it. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThat's probably the scariest thing of all - breaking off a relationship and taking off on your own. Congratulations on taking the scary first step. God luck on the future.
ReplyDeleteYou're an inspiration for all those women and young gals who wonder if it's possible to change . . . to get away . . . to do what needs to be done. You are my hero. Pat yourself on the back ... every time you look back . . . and know it took guts.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for the visit. I apologize for not returning the courtesy but I've just returned from Arizona and we've been trying to get my Mom and Sister settled in. Lots of moving furniture, buying furniture, etc. Tomorrow, I plan to get back to my writing obligations.
ReplyDelete