I did have a fairly quiet weekend. Almost too quiet, since I did not have my boys with me. I went to a "pool party" --- really just a gathering of a few friends around a swimming pool, sunbathing in the mostly cloudy weather and casually talking, but primarily just sitting quietly and casually together on lounge chairs. It was mostly to catch up with each other and to just enjoy being in each others' company.
And I went to church. All in all it was very uneventful, but that never seems to stop me from obsessing internally over my situation. I need to relax internally as well as externally. My mind is too often a seething cauldron of thoughts and emotions. Praying helps a lot with that.
In any event, my weekend was a piece of cake compared to what you had to go through.
I talked to my L on Monday. She explained that the orientation scheduled for today (!) is just that. It's a three-hour meeting including other sets of parents to discuss the process of Custody/Visitation mediation. By the end of this we will have our actual custody mediation scheduled and a mediator assigned to our case.
My L has come to the same conclusion that I already have, that given xW's methodical approach to what I call her "plan for Happiness", the mediation will have no sway on her. xW is too pre-determined and close-minded to alter her course or compromise one inch. Thus, since I have no room left in which to compromise, we both figure she is still going to press on with a very contentious court battle.
So between now and the middle of next month I need to secure the cooperation of several of my friends, co-workers and neighbors to write and notarize affidavits in support of my character and my ability to parent my sons. Several people have already offered even without my asking. But it is still a lot to ask of people.
