Maybe that's why we were intended to have two parents, Frank.
If anything happens to one parent whether instigated internally or externally, there is another parent to fill the gap. I was dysfunctional with PTSD for about 3-4 years. X carried the load. When her mlc hit it shocked me out of PTSD enabling me to be there for the kids as you have for yours. I went from being a failure as a parent in X's eyes to being a "phenomenal father" (her words) in just a few months.
Who knows if our W's will ever come back?
Circumstances do not make the man. A man makes the best of the circumstances.
You seem to be doing very well, Frank.
"Fear is the mind-killer" Muad'Dib Me 53, XW 44, DD 14, DS 12 Bomb and OM 12/15/06 Separated 01/02/07 Divorced 05/13/08 X married OM(OMH) 08/2009 Married 06/09/13