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Family

Safety First

Everyone has a name for this woman who had sex with my husband. Some say that I have allowed her to be a homewrecker, some call her delilah, the wicked witch, slutty, among other names. It may be so, but I say, it takes two!

Putting a loved one at risk, may not be intentional, but rather, selfish, thoughtless and careless, at best. Yes, most agree that folks who do not respect a woman or a man wearing a wedding ring and makes advances shows a lack of self-respect that is daunting and unsettling. It is notable to say, sticks and stones in stating those names may be applicable and may be so, but I still say, again —it takes two!

Society seems to take sex lightly. The excuse mostly is it did not mean anything. Why do it in the first place? Quick pleasure, a boost to the ego, the excitement of sneaking around, or perhaps boredom?

Readers, think about this. Alright, if one did not wear a condom, technically, it meant one had sex with everyone that person have had sex with. Take this example, Readers. If someone were to put neon paintball on his jacket, and decides to hug another person, what do you think will happen? Well, that person will get paint on them, too, right? And, if that person hugs each subsequent person, each person who hugs them, hugs someone else, when the lights shine on each one, everyone would have neon markings on them. Please accept this analogy as a public service announcement of how venereal disease such as gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV/AIDs and others spread like wildfire. Each time one sleeps with one person who may be sleeping around, they get to share whatever disease that person has. I try to teach folks safety first, and I want my Readers to be informed. Some of these folk are ill, but darn it, they look good, as they are curvy, chunky, buffed, not scrawny and gaunt.

When I met my husband nine years ago, I took him to Planned Parenthood for testing. I supposed he got so comfortable, he forgot. No one understood why I put him out the same night I found out he had a two-year old child. I thought our marriage was above infidelity. I guess I was stupid. I was broken from the shock. I was alone and torn. But God! I say it again, His grace and mercy has kept me through this emotional rollercoaster. My faith in Him has lifted me up. He has strengthen me beyond belief. I trust in Him for his guidance and accept whatever pathway He is leading me to. He will supply all of my needs.

I asked a 21 year old young women, “how did you contract HIV” she answered, “while I was pregnant, they ran a blood test at the clinic”. She does not appear to be emaciated or look sick. She appears to be in great health on the outside. She takes her medications daily and does not use a condom. There goes the paintball, Readers!

Food for thought, after the act one may feel ashamed and regretful, but that may be short lived, as the excitement of getting away with it may overtake the senses. Avoid pregnancy by simply putting on a condom. My husband did not. If one is going to cheat, please protect your spouse. Well, you know.

I hope those who advise me to stay, have a better understanding from my perspective. Yes, he wants to come back, yes he promised it will never happen again, My trust is gone. I cannot immerse my head like an ostrich in the sand. That is my choice. It should never have happened in the first place. Snip, snip!

Positive affirmation: Each one, teach one!

Categories
Family

HINDSIGHT is 20/20

This post has been in my draft box for about six days and I have decided to publish it along with the other four blogs.  It needed a little tweaking. 

Readers, as you may know, it is unrealistic for me to think that my dilemma will be solved in days and all will be great and peachy. Well, I was reminded, life does not work that way. We have to face our tears and fears head on and not sweep it under the rug. When we bottle our feelings, we may develop, medical as well as mental health issues that could have been resolved by simply talking with a confidant, a therapists and/or doctor. Some days one may not want to hear about a cheating spouse, or dish up the dirt. Don’t get me wrong, I will have to tell some folk, “this is not what I need to be talking about right now”! For me to maintain a healthy self, I must set boundaries. I love that my Therapist said I will have ups and downs and this will not vanish at a snap of a finger. I have had great days, good days and not so good days of sleeplessness, restlessness, and folks attempting to get into my head. The thoughts when I’m up that dances through my head is that my three-day weekends when I worked nights and missed him in the morning when I get home as he would be at work, all those extra work days and super late night assignments, that even his boss once told me, he is sorry for keeping my husband out so late. Yep, I do think back. Oh, well, hindsight, is 20/20. We see stuff after the fact.

There has been signs along my marriage that I brushed off, been lied to, perhaps avoided or been too busy working to have noticed or paid closer attention to. I worked nights for most of my marriage, not that it could not have happened if I worked days. When I do not sleep, I think or read back in my journal. Little snippet comments such as this makes you look so young, or do not wear this because it makes you look… then he stopped short of actually saying the word, as if it was an illness. – yep, creeps into my head.

I have always enjoyed the moment I’m in. I reminisce, but I do not live in the past. Some of us, however, may be hung up on ageism, and yes, if we live long enough, we will all age.  Two things are for sure death and taxes, but if we live long enough, we will age! That is God’s promise.  Our American culture are not like other cultures, as we do not embrace old age as we should.  Mainly, as a young person, we think, our parents or mothers are old, not us.  Guess what?  You will one day become your mother (smile) – I can only hope to be that classy, beautiful woman! 

A younger friend of mine stated, these young girls are fast, she may have been talking with him and when she asked how old his wife was, and he stated she is in her fifties, she may have immediately felt she had an in. She was going to win him with her young body. Perhaps! — I was personally heard a co-worker once state that she belongs to the “other woman’s club” I was eavesdropping, of course, but the statement drew my attention. She stated we know our place — for Valentine – February 15 or 13, For Christmas December 26, the day after Father’s Day, New Years, a couple days before, or January 2nd, or she’ll settle for the day after Thanksgiving. She stated when men come over we do not yak and talk away. Set the recliner or turn the bed over and turn on a game and give them a drink or a beer. – If that’s the competition folks, desperate folks are settling to share our significant other.

A nursing buddy stated to me (I am tweaking this part because I heard it earlier this week from a friend), that perhaps the age difference is the culprit for my husband’s cheating.  She stated that you put yourself in a predicament of being much older than your husband and the chances of him wanting a younger woman as I aged, are at higher percentage. Although she may be right, and I am not saying that she is, I have never hidden my age!  I am proud to project my age.  I lost a sibling at a young age and I know she would have wished she would have made it past 50.  I have decided that age is one’s perspective.  For instance, a four-year old little boy stated that his sister is so old!  When asked, how old is your sister?  He simply stated, she is sixteen!  She was celebrating her sweet sixteen.

I have had no plastic surgery, I have lived, married, given birth, danced, loved, traveled, speak several languages, and seen what many have not seen and I think that is one of the great blessings God has bestowed on me. I love life!

Relationships are a struggle. My ego hurts. I really thought that he would never cheat. I was always ready. Never denied him, not once. I sometimes wonder, had I changed my schedule would he not have cheated? No! If I were younger than him would he not have cheated? No! If he had ten wives, he would have wanted another one. My point is, it has nothing to do with me. Readers, please understand that cheating is the culprit’s issue, not the significant other/spouse. One must stop second guessing. More importantly, acceptance of who you are and where you are at a particular juncture in life is a marvelous feeling.

Toxins, if not cleans out, will become poisonous. Once I realized I would always have hindsight that cannot be altered, my what ifs do not matter. I cannot change it, nor do I get a do over. I have made a choice that is clear and personal to me. And now I have a little more clarity and peace of mind. I sleep a little more. And yes, some nights better sometimes sleeplessness win. Guess what? and that’s ok, too.

My therapist stated that I have to set goals for myself.  I decided I have to prioritize what I want done, develop hobbies, continue to travel, even if money is tight, my travel may be to go my local museum or library, instead of the Louvre in Paris, France!  Who knows, I put that on my bucket list for late 2020 or perhaps, 2021!

Positive affirmation:  Thank God for small steps!

Categories
Family

HOW YOU DOING?

How you doing?  How are you holding up?  What are you going to do?  Are you taking him back? You’re not the first, what husband announces he fathered a child out of wedlock?  Take him back! — Started sounding like a blur.  My world just blew up, courtesy of the ex-wife. It was shocking! However, I knew immediately it was a gift.  I needed to know AND my husband would have NEVER told me.

It was as if the news of my husband cheating on me and a production of a child, spread like wild fire. And I threw fuel to the fire and fanned it!  I called a lot of folk.  I contemplated should I tell my children or will I spoil their New Year by given them bad news? 

Once it was out, it became juicy breaking news, everyone had an opinion I did not ask for.  The consensus was to go back to your husband, they all cheat, so what!  I feel like everyone’s just pulled up a chair and their microwaved popcorn, looking for drama.  The problem is, I think, I may have disappointed many of them. I put my husband out of the house and I have decided I will not take him back!  I did not want to meet his daughter, who is attached of course to a mother, I did not want to sniff his underwear, wonder how come he is late, check the speedometer, check his phone, follow him in the bushes. I knew one thing, I had to let it go, by letting him go.  I kicked him out, immediately!  I forgive him.  He had a midlife crisis and felt good that a 30 something showed interest.  Flattering, I’m sure.  However, he couldn’t show restraint!  It cost him his marriage.

Approximately 16 years ago, I dated a cop who cheated on me with my sister’s best friend, and I let him go. About 12 years ago, I dated a dude during school, who wound up cheating on me with another student. And now, my husband of 7 years whom I dated for two years prior to marrying him because he had baby momma drama and I did not want to be a part of it. I’m a romantic! Three (3) strikes, and I do not feel I’m out. It was like grieving a major loss but I also have to look within. This is going to hit me sooner or later because I brushed the first two-times aside and kept it moving, as if nothing ever happened.

It is one’s personal choice to stay! financial, what will folk think, I don’t want to be alone, I don’t want to start over. I support everyone’s personal choice. I am non-judgement and so is God! Know that God is there for you whatever you decide.

So, how am I doing?  Well, I thought I was hanging in there.  By day 5, I felt I was at 50% on the road to recovery.  I can say this from experience.  My current road tares and divides and/or forks into pebbles, dirt, sinking sand, wet mud with holes, and it is not paved yet.  However, I have some tough boots on and a 4-wheel drive called Jesus and the Holy Ghost with me.  God has given wisdom of non-judgment and forgiveness in my heart as I am embarrassed in their arms. God makes no mistake

My girlfriend told me to relax.  It could be worst.  You may have found out in your sixties, after him and his mother introducing this child to you as a child that she babysits; and you would have grown fond of her.  When you found out she belongs to him, you could have had a heart attack and died instantly!  I felt better for two days, it felt I was up to 85% over it when she told me that scenario! And then I fell through one of the cracks on the forked road and had a panic attack.  It dawned on me this was my third straight relationship that I was cheated on.  I cried!  I mean balled like a baby. I felt better. I also realize this was nine years. He calls everyday or text sweet nothings. I use to adore that, now it doesn’t matter.  

I started weight training at LAFitness last week to tone up myself for the Cruise in a few.  I went to Zumba yesterday again at the gym.  I was telling a friend I ran into what happened and she told me she had moved here from NY after her husband cheated on her.  She said during her ordeal she had stopped eating and lost so much weight.  She said, currently, this is now 20 years later, she and his current wife are now best friends.  Guess what?  Strength comes with time.  It will take time to heal. Forgiveness is for you, not the cheater.

Readers, I realized, as my cousin the nurse advised me, we take care of everyone but ourselves. “You have to see a therapist”, she said. It’s your third go around with a cheater. I know it is unrealistic to think this will go away on its own. The telephone counselor isn’t enough. So, I will really seek the help of a therapist and make an appointment next week. Meanwhile keep busy, I have my journaling and my blogging as my solace, along with prayer, song and praising my God. I have to work on me!

Positive affirmation: I am encouraged by great family and friends.

*Z88.3

800 hotline – any local call center or ask 311 in your city

*TheBible

You’re not weak for leaving – or for starting over.  It takes immense courage to walk away and make a new path – alex elle

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