Hi Betsey. Sorry I have been MIA. I haven't been feeling well today.
I understand that you don't want to play the waiting game anymore, so I won't ask you to hold off for more stabs at counseling. And, I don't think the letter is too long at all. I understand that thought IF you are not the one that the letter pertains to, but a 2 page letter about ME would certainly have my attenion. Oh, not to say that yours didn't hold mine too! I was just replying to the length critisism.
My first thought was like Mer's, that it sounded angry. I would hate for him to go into self defense mode and not get anything out of this. But, the more I think about it, the more I realize that you really CAN'T sprinkle little bits of praise into it when you don't have any to give.
This did jump out at me:
Quote: I realize that I contributed a great deal to the demise of our relationship and marriage. But I have done the work and made drastic changes for myself. I have made these changes so that I am a better person, wife, mother, and friend.
I know that you go on later to say that you are open to suggestion on how to keep on the improvement track. However, at this point, it sounds as if you are saying, "I am healed. It's all YOU now." Maybe if you added on here that you are aware that there may be more changes to make, and that you are open to them.
Also, I am right with you on the request for no crass words. However, since ML is not upon the immediate horizon, I may wait on this one. Oh, I agree that it needs to be said, but until the other things are addressed, it is pretty much a non-issue, no?
And now, I must make my run to the store for some ginger ale and crackers. If only S12 could drive....
Hope this is a little more to think about. Hopefully I'll be feeling 100% tomorrow and will be of more help.
By the way, it takes a lot of courage to not only write that letter, but to put it out here and allow it to be dissected. I applaud you. (with no Arfs to be heard...)
