Quote:
She has three months to “not disrupt the kids during the school year”, as she puts it. Three months. Feels like a long time to wait for her to take a step after the past two years. If she wants out – get out. If she wants in, then I have to find a way for us to work together because I can’t do it alone anymore…….


Well, it seems you and I are in the same place. I too am waiting to see what decision H. makes about making an effort to salvage what we have or continuing down the road to D. I need a finish line/closure.

As for this my friend:
Quote:
- She said exactly: “I deserve to be happy and I’m not getting any younger”


I totally get what your spouse is getting at. I will pass on my insight to further your understanding.

It's really hard on us women to see our deterioration in the mirror.
Our looks/youth have been our currency in life for a long time. That's just the way it is. Young, curvacious, with thick lustrous hair and clear, unwrinkled skin has always been desired. We're sold that image constantly in media ,and men certainly make it plain that's what they like, at least initially.
A woman at middle age loses that, she becomes invisible. That attention is gone. For some it's a relief, for others it's a loss.

As for the happiness...you choose that. Happiness from the outside in never lasts long. They did research that shows the high from a new purchase fades after 2 weeks or something like that. The only happiness that lasts is that from the inside out and that takes self-esteeem, and the ability to love yourself.

Your wife hasn't yet figured out she needs to learn to love who she is. Neither has my H.

You can help there though if that is your choice.
Affirm her every opportunity you see. Not a phony one. A genuine from the heart one. At first it may irritate her. As you continue to affirm her goodness/attractiveness/ positive choices, she will come to believe a bit more in herself. You know her, both the good and the bad.

Hope this helps you in some small way.


BITS
Me-51, WAS-52
Kids 2
M-26yrs, H.left 2009, 2 more Bomb drops, Reconnection spring 2013
Change is inevitable, personal growth is a choice.
Love is a action and choice you make, every day.