SC you are going through lots of emotions right now. You know that contacting your h has not helped bring him closer. Hopefully you can find yourself detaching more. It will help with the emotions, when you do.
I am not so sure of the dating for you. It doesn't feel right for some reason. I think it will only help to add more confusion and emotions on top of what you already have. If it helps you, then continue to do it, but I have reservations about that.
Your h was all those things, don't forget that or take that away from your M. He just isn't that person NOW! Just step back and focus on you and your family. They all need a strong and stable mom.
Happy Easter!
Me 50 H 42 S 22 S 9 D 7 M 12 T 17 H moved out 8/2006 H moved home 1/2007 for 3 weeks H moved home 5/2011 for good
"Learn from yesterday ~ Live for today ~ And hope for tomorrow"