I don't want to survive, I want to live

[LoginName]

Cat
thanks for the update. I'm so glad you're doing so well.

I truly feel I have a brand new life

I came close to calling it quits in my marriage, and even though it made me terribly, painfully sad, I could also see the new opportunities opening up for me. You've come through that pain, and the grieving process, and you've made it to the other side. You are an inspiration, and proof that the key to all of this is to work on yourself.

You are also right that

but there has to be a line drawn somewhere

.Guard that line. Defend your boundaries. Don't let your compassion cause you to get sucked in. I don't think you will, but trying to enforce that idea. You are a good Christian, but you are not Jesus, and you cannot save him. He has to save himself (with Jesus' help, perhaps). Often, you need to hit bottom before you can really change for the better. Maybe he is there, or close.

I hope your kids are OK, and OK with him. That worries me a little.

Sounds to me like you've got the detachment right: your a friend, probably his best friend, but you can let go and not make his problems yours. Stay strong.

I feel bad for him too. It's terrible the kind of pain and suffering some people face. It's worse that they often make it worse by the way they act and believe. But you can't fix them. They have to fix themselves, right?

But back to the positive. I'm so glad you are feeling good, seeing the opportunities, feeling positive about your future. I'm happy for you, impressed by you, and wishing you the best