Thanks, Root. I appreciate the nice thoughts. I, like most of us here, am trying to do what little I can to make the most of a tough situation.
I have tried a few things for GAL.
I was taking (Country Western) dance lessons, but I still suck at it, and don't seem to be improving. It has gotten me out among other folks though, and that's good.
I have re-taken up Tai Chi, but mostly as a solitary endeavor -- I haven't yet found the right instructor at the right price yet, but I'm still looking.
I rebegan camping, and am going to slowly introduce it to the S's. S6 will be old enough for Cub Scouts next Spring, so by that time we'll have that and camping to look forward to.
I haven't made too many friends yet in the apartment, other than being acquantanced with some of the other parents who bring their kids to the swimming pool every weekend.
On Monday evenings, I am attending a DivorceCare group at a local church. It is a program for Christian support groups, for people who are either divorced or separated. I've met a few very nice people there as well. (I just got back from there just now. The session was on Forgiveness -- more on that below.)
On Wednesday evenings, I am participating in a Bible Study Group with about nine other people.
So I have a pretty full plate right now, and I am having to pick and choose which activities I can participate in without overdoing it.
I am Mr. Mom, taking care of my 2 S's, from Friday evening to Sunday evening, every weekend. Plus most holidays. I'd certainly like more time with them, but right now this is all that's practical, or that W would allow. It means that I am not really all that much available for spending time with other adults on those prime evenings when most people are off -- i.e., Friday and Saturday nights (The W is free though on those nights and has been secretly carousing while I've been her babysitter.) But I really enjoy my S's company and being their dad. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
On Forgiveness: The lesson tonight really struck home with me. The anger and resentment I've been feeling towards W have been harming me when I need to heal. I recognze that I need to detach from the situation, for real. I have been holding onto the pain and resentment of what W is and has been doing to us, and it has been eating at me and disrupting my peace. I've got to let go and let God. I have to truly forgive my W -- not absolve her of her transgressions, not forgetting, and not codoning the hurtful behaviors either. But giving them over to God to handle, and clearing the debt I may feel W owes me. It's not going to be easy given that the transgressions are still ongoing, but is necessary to allow me to truly detach and be able to become a better person.
