I decided to create this thread as a way for all of us to share some of the positives that are happening in our lives. In short, things that really we should be thankful for. So I challenge all of you to set back from all of the craziness that is MLC and thing about what GOOD exists in your life.
So, in the interest of sharing….here is what I can honestly say that
I am thankful for….(in no particular order)
- The new R that I have with my children. Although it can be tough at time with two teenage boys. I would not trade the MLC crisis that really forced me to develop the R that I know have with my kids. - All of YOU – I am soo grateful to have had to opportunity to get to know many of you. - Who I am becoming….noticed I did not say who I am. I am not there yet and although I am a work in progress – I am starting to love the new me. - My Wife….I am thankful that I was able to be on the receiving end of her love for many years. - The small and sometime frustrating conversations/chats that I have with my Wife. I can look back now and realize that for a long time we did not even chat. Although we are moving forward with a D – I am thankful that we can now talk. - My weight loss. Hopefully I do not come across as vain here BUT really I look pretty good (pink tutu and all – lol) - My in-laws – they have consistently supported me AND my wife. - My best friend Steve. - My jeep. I love it and really am glad that I have the thing. Cruising with the top down saved me from jumping off a bridge on more occasion that I care to remember. - My fortress of solitude – a small section of the CT river with a section that has a very private beach area. Man…I love that place. - The boards – ‘nough said. - My strength – as often as I thought I would quit…quit on my M, quit on me…I never did. For this I am grateful. - My new found love of cooking – yep, I love it. - My job – Ya know…I actually did not always like the firm BUT I know realize that I am where I am suppose to be. - The fact that my 16 year teenage self center, egotistical, normal teenager is speaking to me. - Learning that I can only control one person - ME - Life – the twist, the turns, the challenges….I am thankful that I now understand that all things happen for a reason. - My dog oreo – FTR, he and spoon almost daily (sorry Grit If I made you jealous – lol) - And finally, I am grateful for ME
So what are you guys thankful for today?
Eric
"The difficulties of Life are intended to make us BETTER,not bitter". "Fear is a prison, where you are the jailer. FREE YOURSELF!" "Life is usually all about how you handle Plan B." - Jack3Beans
Hey BTW, how cold is it in your neck of the woods?
"The difficulties of Life are intended to make us BETTER,not bitter". "Fear is a prison, where you are the jailer. FREE YOURSELF!" "Life is usually all about how you handle Plan B." - Jack3Beans
I am thankful that my life is so different then it used to be.
I am thankful that my children are so well adjusted and are thriving.
I am thankful for the friends I have made here, who have supported me and have yelled at me and have sent hugs and smooches over the past several years.
And most of all, I am so thankful that I won't have to deal with any snow this winter
There can be no testimony without a test. I am praying to go through this test and come out the other end with a new and better marriage then before.
eric - thank you for sharing! It made me think and here is my thankful list:
1. I am thankful for 20 years of wonderful years with my H. They are filled with loving memories and I wouldn't trade that for anything.
2. I am also thankful for my new and improved R with my oldest D (12). I will never ever forget how she has saved me on many occations by just holding me while I cried. Even though no 12 year old should ever have to "take care" of thier mom, I think she will one day look back and know how she helped save me and it will give her strength. It will make her a better mom one day.
3. I am thankful for my puppy Tug - his playfulness and love of life has helped me enjoy the little things. plus he loves me soooooo much.
4. I am thankful for my family and friends - I have been literally blown away by the love everyone has for me. I never knew really how much everyone cares.
5. My new friend Albuquerque! I can call her anytime of the day and tell her what is going on and she keeps me strong and focused. Don't know what I would do without her!
6. I started hiking every day. Walking up the bluff is my church. My place to talk to God.
7. My weight loss! I physically feel the best I have in 15 years. People ask how I have lost so much so fast. I don't tell them the truth (have your H go through a MLC!!) I just say hiking.
8. Realizing that I am a really good person. Deep down in my soul I am capable of real forgiveness, love and kindness. Not very many people get the chance to find out what they are made of. How they react in the face of a life crisis. I have had that opportunity and I like what I found.
TAMF m:41 xh:41 T: 20 M: 15 D: 16 D: 14 Bomb dropped: 7/3/10 separated: 7/15/10 H moved in to new apt. with OW: 7/1/11 divorced: 8/26/12
1. My health, food, shelter and a bed to sleep in every night.
2. My daughters who are my biggest and strongest support team.
3. My friend Pat.
4. Carl and Agnes- my kittens, Who keep me company and love unconditionally.
5. Tigger aka- Big Red Cat. Who comes when I am crying and will get as close as he can to my face and try to console me.
6. Maija my dog. SO full of happy spirit.
7. AA,Al-Anon and Codependents Anonymous.
8. That I can do a lot of things myself, yard cutting, weed whacking, some repairs, snow-plowing, maintenance, garden, veg and flowers.
9. That I can paint. (Artist)
10.For the freedom to be able to choose my Higher Power.
11. That I have learned a great deal about people and emotions in my life.
12. For 29 wonderful years of marriage to my H and 2 years that have not been so wonderful. For the person he was, loving, kind, compassionate, caring, supportive, honest, full of integrity, honorable, and a great father.
13. For this website- I don't think I would have made it with out these places...(I didn't start off here, but another in 09).
14 For coffee and popcorn.
15. For being given the strentgh to make it this far. FOr the changes I have made, I am a better person today because of the crisis. I have learned to stand up for myself, speak my mind, and have a LOAD of patience. I have learned about codependency and have learned to own my own power, own my feelings, deal with feelings. I have learned about dealing with panic attacks.
16. And for this dear Earth, I consider my Mother...which sustains and nurtures my spirit, giving me rest, reflection, and peace, and healing.
17. For all the brave women and men who come here everyday to help support us, and for all the brave people who come for help. Your storie provide me with inspiration, clues, clarity, strength, hope,humor, and commaraderie.
M\51- H\53 crisis-08 M-30 years 2-D's 25\22 ILYBINILWY - Feb 09 BD - Mar 09 Sep- May 09 NC -Jan 10 H fl'd papers Aug-10
1. my beautiful children - they have the kindest, sweetest, funniest hearts around 2. my wonderful friends - they always pick up the phone or respond to an email or text or invite me to join them (or say the things I wish I could say about the sitch:)) 3. my job - it's challenging, rewarding, and has allowed me to be fiscally independent from H during this time 4. my parents and siblings - have put down their own craziness to help me out during this time 5. my faith in God and in goodness - I have a lot to learn but I believe 6. my in-laws - though they are often torn, they occasionally reach out and I am appreciative 7. my home - it truly is a place of refuge 8. my moments of complete clarity of this awful monster called MLC - they bring me such peace 9. technology - found this place and other resources that have been a god-send to me during this time 10. Gary Chapman, Harville Hendrix, MWD, Dr. Dobson, Patrick Carnes, and countless other authors who provide me with healing words 11. sleep 12. imLin, punkin, cat, brooklyn, pei, eric, gritt, j3b, alb, and anyone else who has ever taken the time to send me a message of support or call me out
M-48/XH-48 M=25/T=28 years Ds-24,22/S-18 D - 3/11 A Day at a Time
Ok guys ... I'm reaching today ... pushing myself to grow ...
Today I am thankful that OW is a kindergarten teacher that my kids will adore. I am thankful that her D, same age as my D, is excited about meeting and playing with all the kids.
They are spending the day with "them" for the first time.
PEI
Holding onto anger to punish someone else, is like lighting yourself on fire to get smoke in their eyes ~ 25yearsmlc
