I am so sorry to read about your mother. I hope she makes a full recovery and can get back to her "normal" life. She's going to have lots of time to think about things and I do hope that at some point, she will finally divorce the jerk or do a proper will that states exactly what she wants done w/regards to estate and funeral. No telling what the jerk would do.
Now, about your xh...I sincerely hope he doesn't move to your area. You and your girls needs the distance from him. It sounds like things haven't been going his way and he sees that you and the girls are truly happy and have moved on. He knows that you've grown by leaps and bounds and your self confidence is attracting him like the candle does a moth. Sure, he can talk all he wants about what he's doing to make things right within himself...but until he does the "walk" for a very long period of time, I would take what he says w/a grain of salt. As the old saying goes, "the proof is in the pudding". Just remember...over the years and not just the MLC years, he put you and the girls through a lot...he would have to do a whole heck of a lot of growing up and hard/necessary work to earn your trust and respect back.
You've come a long way and it sounds like you've taken in all that we've talked about over the years and now understand that MLC does exist and how the childhood emotions are stunted and then played out at a later time.
For now, continue as you have been. I'm so very proud of you. You are like the phoenix...you rose from the ashes and are soaring these days.
Sit quietly, the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect them to. The past is gone, the present is a gift and you need to focus on today, allow the future to reveal itself when it is ready.
