Someone in RL (who has always believed that my STBXH would reappear wanting to reconnect, if only as part of recovering his life/history/health) asked me what I would do post-watchgate...and I said I didn't know, that I'd just trust my ability to know at the time if it happened.
So then she asked...well, what would you need to see to take a first step, to open the door to maybe, if not a yes? It was a darned good question so I mused on it while playing in my new allotment.
Forgiveness is not an issue for me; nor is love. Not being an idiot about trust and not getting sucked into the Sandpit of Disorder probably is! From what I've heard, they don't return magically 'done' and (understandably) not overflowing with remorse, transparency and courage either. I would probably be less concerned about Whys than a year ago, but much more about Whats.
My first thoughts about what would matter to me:
- some level of reciprocity/balance...if my spouse was still all Me, Me, Me...nothing useful to work with
- if they can't/won't tell any of the truth or keep lying to obviously control things...ditto
- if I am trying to own stuff that’s not my responsibility or be ‘right’ or 'fix' him..then I'm not ready.
- if neither of us feels safe enough to make a small calm bit of ground...again, not the time
Would be interested in hearing what others think. What were the actions you saw that told you clearly that your MLCer wanted to reconnect and you had a choice to make? And what criteria did you use to make it?
T: 18 M: 12 (at BD) No kids.
H diagnosed with severe depression Oct 15. BD May 16. OW since April 16, maybe earlier. Silent vanisher mostly.
Divorced April 18. XH married ow 6 weeks later.
"Option A is not available so I need to kick the s**t out of Option B" Sheryl Sandberg