I agree with your brother. Those rebound Rs rarely last, and you are placing greater and greater distance b/t yourself and OM via your self-improvements.
There is something so empowering about looking at my S5 and seeing my influence on him. Your children are very blessed to have such a dedicated man as their father. Your blessings will come back tenfold - wait and see.
S5 stayed over last night. I had him since noon due to an MD appointment. W and I were scared about an ugly mole that was increasing in size fast and changing color on his ankle. Turned out to be a viral thing that kids in Florida get - don't you love the subtropics!:p W called a couple of times, and asked us to swing by the house at night to pick up his TBall uniform. She was going out to a cookout for her lab's end of year party, and was dressed conservatively. When W noted "I'd really rather go to bed early; I'm so sleepy!" I said, "You've been thru a rough semester! Hope you have a good time anyway."
When W added "Just a warning, FIL will be at S5's TBall game on Sat" I responded, "That's fine." I prayed and meditated for peace, as in the past 4 of 5 interactions, FIL and MIL had threatened my life and my job, stole items from me from our house. Maybe W is hoping that I can have an improved R with them? And if so, for what reason?
Today, S5 and I enjoyed cartoons, then off to the beach. It was fun to run and play in the water with him. W and her family are afraid of the ocean, so when S5 and I talk about me teaching him how to surf or whether he'll become a beach lifeguard (he'd be good), it is a topic that's unique to us. When I noticed several women in their 20's-40's being overly friendly and chatty with me (haven't had women in bikinis approach me in 10+ yrs), I thought "Wow, I mustn't look too bad!" Beyond physical, I think DBing put a little bounce in my step, and a relaxed confidence in me that is probably way more attractive than my prior tense, frustrated self.
At the TBall game, FIL walked up and came to me in the bleachers. When I reached out my hand in greeting, he gladly shook it and sat down next to me. Just occasional small talk; I didn't try to press anything, and stayed relaxed. He seemed like an old man who was just enjoying seeing young kids be kids. W will have S5 for Mother's Day. He (and I) bought her a water carrier/backpack for her Hawaii hiking, and a athletic supply store gift certificate for her to pick up some small things. He proudly taped on a Mother's Day card he made for her at school. S5 is such a wonderful child.
Plans for this weekend include running and a movie tonight, and church, work and a long run tomorrow.
