Tuesday, August 19, 2008

HSSH

It stands for “High School Sweet-heart”.  And he was.  He is also the bio-father of 4 of my kids, and the adopted dad of 2.  We were married from 1991 until 2007, when the divorce he filed for was finalized.

I’ve never been hurt deeper.  Been more angry.  Been more frustrated.  Been more devastated.  Been more in love with anyone.

I still love him. 

I hate all of this with a passion.  I just want it all to go away, and to start over fresh.

It is never simple is it?  It never made sense from the first day he walked out on us.  We had been through too many hard times to give up now.

How could he just walk away?

I know now that he wasn’t just walking away.  He was running away.  He didn’t only leave me and the kids.  He left everyone and everything that was his life.  He left our town.  He left 1/2 of his siblings.  He was running from his life and every choice he had ever made.

The problem with running away from yourself and your life is that everywhere you go, there you are.

They say that the grass is always greener on the other side.

The grass on this side of the fence had been far from perfect.  There are, and were more weeds in this grass than I’d like to count.  But, the grass on the other side of the fence is not even real.  It’s Astroturf, with a foundation of concrete.

I’ve never wanted to bash him publicly, or say anything that I wouldn’t want him to read.  I hope that I never do, and that I haven't.  I get tired of doing the right thing and there never being any positive turn-around.

It isn’t that I don’t want him to be a part of the kids lives.  I do, that is the problem.  The crumbs he throws from the life he’s ran to, are pathetic.

When he called yesterday, I just wanted to pretend it didn’t happen.  I wanted to ignore his message.  I didn’t want to tell the kids he had called.  It would have been so easy to press delete and never tell them.

I had to call a friend to tell me that I needed to tell my kids.  I told her, “tell me that I need to tell them he called”.  She did.  I still didn't want to, but I did.

It wouldn't have been fair to them not to tell them.

When I prayed so long ago that God would do "whatever it took to make him into the man He wanted him to be", I never dreamed that it would be this hard.

I need grace to live and go on believing God isn't done with this yet, because I can't do it anymore.

So don't throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It's still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God's plan so you'll be there for the promised completion.
   It won't be long now, He's on the way; 
      He'll show up most any minute.
   But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust;
      if he cuts and runs, I won't be very happy.
But we're not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We'll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.
  --End of Hebrews 10, The Message.

Pam

6 comments:

Mom24 said...

Mark and I have been married since I was 17, he had just turned 20. I can imagine how horribly hard this is for you. I have no idea 'why' this happened. I'm glad for you that you have your faith to draw from. I hope your kids come through it intact.

sarah.flyingkites said...

Pam,
Wow, you are a great writer.

I am so sorry you have to endure this and have no idea what to tell you. You and your kids are in my prayers!

Love, Sarah

Janel said...

You ARE a very good writer, I always enjoy your entries, and always end up in prayer for you and your kids. We will keep lifting you up to our Father in Heaven

Anonymous said...

It is hard to know what to say, but one thing I've found helpful is to remember we are not on this earth for long. We have a greater reward waiting for us and this life is only a split second compared to eternity. Keep hanging on and leaning on Jesus. He cares, He knows, and He will be there for you and not give you more than you can handle. He will use you and you will be able to help others. God Bless!

anymommy said...

Strong. You really are. I'm glad your friend helped you through that moment. I've never been in your situation, but I can imagine it will mean a lot to your kids in the future that you never stood between them and their Dad. Even when it hurts you and them.

Paula V said...

Pam, this is only the first of your testimony posts that I've read. My heart is racing. Aside from any specific details, our stories are very similiar...minus the kids and minus the more years.

My husband just walked out June 2007. He was running, like you said about HSSH, from me. He still is. He won't have a thing to do with me and since there are no kids, he can get away with ignoring me. He can't ignore God though. Neither can your HSSH. God is chasing them. He won't tackle them down but He is chasing them nevertheless and whooing them to return to His path.

I look forward to reading more and getting to know you more.

I would be honored if you could pop to my blog and read more about me. I have to say that I have not been obvious about my marriage and divorce on my blog. I've kept that more private and shared it via email. I'd be more than happy to share "my story" with anyone via email but just don't feel led to share in depth on the blog. I have family and friends who read and my beloved has access to read it also. It's not that I would share anything to blast beloved but I guess I just don't feel comfortable spelling it all out.

If you read some of my posts you'll see what I'm saying. Those who follow me, know what I mean with my more vague descriptions. You can read my latest post and follow it by simply knowing what I've shared here.

I am comforted to see another woman who desires and loves her husband who left like I do mine.

I will add you, your kids, and HSSH to my prayers.

Have you ever read rejoiceministries.org? I have been a suscriber of their Charlyne Cares for several months.

They have an awesome testimony. Charlyne divorced Bob 22 years ago for cheating. She stood in the gap for two years and Bob suddenly returned, just like that. They've been remarried for 20. They have three kids and were married several years prior to the divorce. They are huge advocates and supports of standing and waiting for our prodigal spouses to return.

I hope you have time to see their website.

I'll read more over the weekend. But I'll be back!
In Him,
Paula