Thank you for your thoughts everyone... and Jack, I am so honored that you popped out of retirement and posted in my thread!
Regarding touch: I was advised very early on by two different coaches to initiate touch. I remember posting with Linda, who had received the same advice: "Is the touching working out for you?" "No." "Yeah, me neither". So I put it on the back shelf. For a long time. And honored W's request to not be touched.
Then, as time went on on we both started becoming more comfortable around each other. Home life was not tense like it was in the beginning. Our verbal interactions were as intimate as ever. Best buddies, she even invited me out with her friends a couple times... And I was still frustrated with our near lack of physical touch.
I wanted to try initiating touch again, as a sort of temperature check, and to hopefully get the ball rolling on something that I knew may NEVER happen if I didn't initiate it.
Even with my coke bottle rose colored glasses on, I can honestly say it has not pushed W away. It was fun to write about and has given me hope.
GM: Yes, I'm sure part of the reason W never left is convenience. And familiarity and comfort. (which I'll take some credit for) Also because of uncertainty on bailing on wonderful me. But T is right. It's certainly not money or kids.
Why I am standing: Because I love my W and believe she still loves me.
M: A really long time. Crisis: 5 years. She's still worth it.
Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose. -Viktor Frankl
But T is right. It's certainly not money or kids. 