Friends: Season 3--Expanding and thriving

[Underdog]

Hello everyone! Before I go on, Pam and Meredith, I've been missing you both....

Thanks for all the really nice thoughts and feelings here. It makes me feel really special. I don't have anything to update in my own world, but I am really at peace. I will credit prayer and divine intervention, because I really see a different me now.

I have been loathe to jump in the OW/OM pool. As many of you know, it was me who was on the very brink of a PA with OM. I will say that I had a very tough time living with the guilt, even though I was such a hurting soul.

As far as the OP befriending you (you being the spouses of the purported cheaters), I don't find it weird at all. It helps them assauge their guilt by extending friendship.

The OP may be guilty of being a whole lot of things, but they also have a partner in crime with an equally unpure motive. They are also human beings with feelings, and I've found that the more compassion I offer to others, the more I receive.

For those of you who are spiritual or religious and who say The Lord's Prayer with any regularity and conviction: Toward the end of the prayer, you ask God, "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."

You are asking God to extend in exact measure what you offer those who sin and hurt you. IOW, "Dear God, please give me the same treatment that I give my brothers and sisters: If I withhold, please withhold from me as well."

While I have to give Briget a big cyber hug for putting her pain out here (((((Briget))))) I also have to thank Kitti for speaking for those of us who found ourselves the sinners that others hate. (((((Kitti)))))

Part of healing is the willingness to understand others. You guys have been honest with your feelings and fears and doubts and I want to commend you for taking on a dialogue that is so controversial and personal and for taking the time to really listen to each other.

Hopefully, this is all food for thought as we grow and thrive.

Betsey