Evermore, Gosh, I know. Right? That positive start lasted an hour …lol
In my XH case his shame is so high that he makes the least amount of attempt to contact his own kids. I honestly don’t see him being sad about it like your husband. I wish he was. I think he only sulks about how it affects him. I told him while we were in communication that if he went on another vacation with her kids before his own that would cause damage that can’t be reversed. So, he does it anyways and what does she do? Post and post and post. Brag!!!!! That is who he married and that is now who he is. He is the ultimate avoidant.
On my last thread I put that I am sad for him. I’m disgustingly sad that HE is ruining his life and humiliating himself with an over the top narcissist materialistic woman and kids. I think we all hope they will see the light and come back in the beginning and I think for me part of my overall sadness is that there is NO WAY I could ever get back with him and I know my kids will never view him the same nor will I and I think that answers exactly why he is with who he is with and why he is now an absent father. He has said, you will never look at me the same again. He was right. I can’t. Even understanding MLC . It is just to much.
His desire and need to be viewed as someone he clearly is not is greater than the pain he is inflicting on those he once loved. He is the weakest most selfish emotionally immature man right now. I hate that I see him that way now so clearly. I really thought he hung the moon. I thought he was the sweetest man. Morally wonderful, calm, centered. I think that is why it was so hard to accept. I’m sorry he is so lost, but I think he clearly knows he has a problem. He has told me he doesn’t want to deal with it. HE CANT!!! As my therapist said. He has had my support for many many years. His kids have tried despite him to stay in his life. He and not any of us are rejecting him. It’s a choice to continue to run and not get help. He doesn’t want to see or talk to anyone from his past, but he definitely wants us there. It’s twisted. Of course my daughter was accurate when she said as long as we are not seen or heard from he can just not deal with his issues.
I am a little grateful to have an OW that is posting her insanity for everyone to see. It kind of validates the mess and superficial life they lead and also shows my kids that this is not who their father was. This is not about them, but like the pain we go through so do their children. As my daughter has said….He is the only father I will ever have, but she is firm that she will never talk or see him again. I do hope he finds a way to turn their relationship around some day. It does give me anxiety. I have a lot of anxiety for my son who doesn’t want to talk about it. I think he is in deep pain, but all I can do is tell him that I am there for him and I have reminded him that I don’t want him to internalize his pain and end up where his dad is.
Now… for the positives!!!
I am glad that we are finding ways to have fun and connect with my family and XH family. I am so grateful for his brother. Stepping up and almost being a father presence to them. That alone lets them know that it’s not them. We are going to a NFL game together next month and they are coming back to visit soon. Things could be worse. There is a beautiful life ahead and I am finally looking forward to it. The longer XH is gone the more normal get togethers, holidays become. I still wish none of this happened, but it did.
I can’t change it or wish it away or expect a miracle. Those days are long gone. I have accepted that like my D14 passing. There just is nothing we can do about what we can’t control. We lost a daughter and a sister and XH even in that doesn’t appreciate what he had and doesn’t care he is inflicting more pain. I tried to control this situation. I thought I had a wheel to turn to change the direction, but I didn’t. Took me a while to get here.
There is almost something harder about someone being alive and having to lose what you believed to be true of them than someone actually dying.
Indefatigability - determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose
perspicacity- a clarity of vision or intellect which provides a deep understanding and insight
Married July 1991
Jan 2018 BD1 moved out I filed for Div/ H stopped it
Oct 2018 moved back
Oct 2020 BD2
Feb 2021 Div-29 1/2 years
July 2021 Married OW
Feb 2022 XH fired
June 2022 XH bring OW to meet family due to xMIL illness
May 2023 went NC after telling XH we could not be friends
Aug 2023 XH moves w/o OWife
May 2024 xMIL visits XH/OW in their new home
Aug 2024 cut relations w/XH fam.
Dec 2024 D33 expecting baby ( XH not told)