Me and my 2 daughters

[AJM]

The other thing you may start to notice - people are affected by what happened. You wouldn't think so, but they are. And they share it with you. Maybe as a way to connect? Or sympathize? Or work on their own demons? <shrug>

I don't live in a small town. But all these years later, I occasionaly bump into an old mutual friend. They feel compelled to tell me things or ask about that time. Many are surprised to hear I don't really care to hear it. I've had mutual friends shake their heads and as how I'm doing, and then tell me about things they saw during that time. Others have no trouble hearing some of the escapades and nod knowingly.

I usually end the conversation quickly and wish them well. But it always strikes me as odd that they are trying to cope with what happened. It somehow affects them. Maybe it reminds them of what they have done or what happened to them as a child or .. Who really knows?

My ex's father was like that. He tried to talk her out of it, but it was something that pained him. He wouldn't talk about it with me, but both him and my ex's mom had trouble with it. And still seem to from time to time.

The thing is, that's for them to deal with. But it occurs to me that what my ex did had far reaching effects on more than just immediate family.

Don't be surprised by the comments and things people share. Neither do you need to listen to it if you don't want to. You can politely tell them you aren't interested and that's OK to do.

AJ