Recognizing & Dealing w/ Domestic Abuse

It never fails to amaze me when I forget these milestone days. 

Five years and three weeks ago, my divorce was absolute. 

No question, that remains a laurel, one I rightfully rested upon for quite awhile.  I have to warn those just out, those thinking of escape, the time will come when that Herculean accomplishment becomes not enough.  You get restless. 

It irritates me when I fill out a form that asks for marital status and I have to fill in, "divorced."  I am not divorced anymore.  The divorce was a momentous act of God and my will; but why should I be labeled according to the fact that some time in the distant past I was married to some guy who has nothing to do with whatever I'm doing now?  I'm single.  I'm not used or broken goods; I'm a woman on her own feet. 

I'm watching a career slowly develop, while realizing I'm a homecrafter at heart.  I'm really me in the kitchen, or at the sewing machine. 

I'm finding I want to go back to school, to get my license, to train for a specialized form of therapy.  It's not enough to be the woman who got a way from Pinocchio;  I want to be myself louder than ever. 

It was a joy to be able to decorate my home in colors other than blue.  It was a pleasure to do laundry only for three.  And if any fool ever tries to criticize me for the noises I make when throwing up, his be-hind will be on the lawn.  But there's more.  A vacation to Colonial Williamsburg.  A bunch more quilts.  Respect.  That tattoo.  A license with my name on it.  The knowledge that I'm fine single.  A real marriage with a good man. 

I guess that's my report from miles away.  There is more, folks, and we all deserve it. Huges to all,

Miz Fine 

Congratulations! It's been almost five years out for me too.

Amen to freedom and a new start :)

Loonybunny

Congratulations!

I just say Single when those options are presented to me. It's the same thing!

Almost three years for me. I am so much happier. I too hate the word "divorced." Single! With a family of me and two wonderful children. I am content now - which I had not felt for years and it took over a year of feeling "broken" even after the divorce to let me understand that families come in all shapes and sizes.

I was sitting here planning out our Christmas picture which will have the nice odd number of three people in it.

I too have started going back to school, and started up new things and am getting out more - not hiding. He took so much of who I was and when I finally was free of him, I had to go looking for myself.

Content. Content and single.

Congratulations! I'm glad to hear that you are doing well. You're an inspiration!

Sky