I look back at the whole 23 year relationship, and see it now with a sense of detachment. Its like it happened to someone else, someone who was only half awake about what it meant to be in a relationship.

I have thought this too. I was not a whole person. I let so much of myself slip away. I gave up so much of myself. The best parts of myself were gone, hidden. I was a mom first and foremost. The girl, the wife, the sexpot---they were all put away. Heck, they were the fun parts. I was reborn after I got over the initial shock. Like a phoenix from the ashes....ok, two glasses of wine and late at night I get sappy...

I love you man, er...I mean girls!

Each experience in life has formed me, become part of me, made me stronger.