I cannot thank you all enough for your thoughtful responses to my post. You have given me a lot to think about and I will definitely looking to NMMNG. If I did not have children, this would be a lot easier. I am not saying I would have left long ago but I probably would have been less hesitant to stand up for myself. I have two children in college, one a senior in high school and one in seventh grade. The youngest is the one who concerns me because she gets very upset at the slightest hint of instability in the home (and like most kids she has picked up on a lot). We have never discussed the M situation with our children but my oldest son has raised it with me on several ocassions - "why is mom being so mean to you?"
It is interesting that some of you had suggested that my wife might have an affair. I cannot tell you what a relief that would be for me. Then I wouldn't be the bad guy (in my own eyes or that of my children) and I could just move on with my life. I realize that says a lot about me and my own issues. I am not sure why I am taking all the blame. Yes, I am a lawyer, a pretty successful one at that, and I know what most people think about lawyers, but if you asked anyone (and I mean anyone) who has ever worked with me about what kind of person I am and almost all would start by saying, "he is a super nice guy." I do have a temper that explodes on rare ocassions but I think that has more to do with holding back most of the time and not standing up for myself. One good thing that has come of this is that I am working out a lot more and have lost about 30lbs. I have also taken up gardening and golf so I am trying to work on myself. Still, living without love, or more to the point, living with a woman who treats you like dirt, takes a lot out of a man. Thanks again for the support.
