A shining example?

[NOPkins]

For those of you that don't know my situation, here is an extremely brief refresher.

After years of struggling in our marriage, close to the edge of destruction of same - My wife and I watched Michele on a newscast. Bought the book. Both read it, Began recovery. We are doing well now.

We have both been reading, and on a limited basis, participating in some internet forums in an ongoing effort to strengthen our marriage. We both came across a bulletin board at www.marriagebuilders.com. It got our attention, but not in the way you might think.

We have both been reading a couple of forums on that system. One is "General Questions II" the other is "I just found out". I have to tell you, that reading those two forums have changed us yet again. Most of the little issues are now melting away as a result. Somehow, the big things are no longer so big. Here is why.

The stories and the characters therein are very real, and they are heart wrenching. I can't believe I tossed around the idea of affairs or divorce for as long as I did. From what we have read, indeed witnessed over the past few months, we will never ignore each other in a wholesale way again.

If you and your spouse are feeling strong and can stand some controversy, I suggest that you read the forums I mentioned together. Read them for a couple of weeks and get to know some of the characters (real people) there. If you still think that an affair or divorce is the way to solve your marital problems, then I will be very surprised.

I am very grateful for the friends (albeit anonymous ones) that I have made here. I am very grateful for a book (TSSM) written so graciously as not to alienate a spouse(s) with issues to address. I am grateful that I have learned to deal with my spouse in an upfront and forthright manner. I will do my best to never let my marriage wallow lost in the depths of despair again.

All the best,
-NOPkins-