2016 divorce friends marriage relationships

Enough

Tikeetha TMby
23 Comments on Enough

“My husband and I are divorcing” I blurted out.  Everyone looked at me with shocked and stunned expressions. We were at a new tapas restaurant having our monthly girl get together. Six sets of eyes stared at me. I waited. The silence was deafening. I cleared my throat and took a sip of my white wine and continued to wait. I waited for what seemed like an eternity for someone, anyone, to speak.

My girlfriend Hope was the first to respond. She replied “Wow, as long as you’re okay. I’m here for you.” I needed that. I needed to hear her support of my decision. Not acceptance. That’s different. Support is only seven letters and takes less effort than acceptance of my decision. Just support. They could do that right? Support was a requirement of friendship. Support was needed if I was planning to get through the next few years alone.

I smiled and knew that in the end my girls would be there, but when Alex asked, “Are you sure you want to do this? I mean…it’s hard out here for single women and you don’t want to be alone.” I paused and replied boldly with determination, “I’m sure Alex. I didn’t make this decision lightly and my marriage is over. Irrepealably broken was what my ex said, so I’m sure.” Alex continued in what felt like a cross examination, “I mean, I get it. People have problems, but can’t you work through them? I was married before and I didn’t know what I had until it was gone. My ex-husband loved my dirty drawers, but I was too selfish. I didn’t know it at the time.”

My heart felt heavy. My cheeks started to flush as I sat there thinking about a response. Was I sure? Was I being selfish? I mean my ex was enough. He was nice enough. Attractive enough. Smart enough. He was enough, but was enough for me?

No, it wasn’t. I wanted more than enough. Hope intervened and said, “Look, I could tell something was bothering you last month on our girl’s trip. You seemed despondent and withdrawn. Did you know last month?” I was startled by her observation of me. Was I that transparent? What is wrong with these women? I wiped my mouth and said “Yes, I haven’t been happy for years. I’ve forced myself to smile when the weight of the world has been on my shoulders. I’ve forced down my tears when I felt unloved and alone. I’ve forced back my anger when he called me out my name. I’ve had enough. He’s enough, but enough isn’t good enough for me.”

There was the silence again. That uncomfortable pause that had me grasping for anything to fill the deafening sound of nothing in my ears. I sat back and said, “Ladies, there is much about my marriage that you don’t know. I kept it inside. Buried it and decided to grin and bear it for my family for my friends and for him. I deserve better. I don’t hate him. I will always love him, but you know what? I love me more.” I looked around the table and saw them for the first time. I saw what they were not telling me…I’m afraid of you being by yourself. Being with someone or anyone is better than being alone. Can’t you fix it?

I couldn’t believe it. I felt defeated until I looked at Hope and saw something else. She had something different in her eyes. She had a spark. A light. Just like her name, I saw hope. I smiled. She reached across the table and grabbed my hand and said, “Sweetie, I got you. I support you and I love you. Never forget that.” I laughed and with tears in my eyes I said, “I love you ladies and I thank you for being here because I’m scared like hell.” Everyone burst out laughing and I knew that my sisters loved me and would never leave me alone. I was going to be okay because I was more than enough.

© Tikeetha Thomas

23 comments

  4. What a great post. Sharing that news is hard — waiting to see how people respond even harder. This helped lots of people, I bet, & even now it reminds us that you have to love yourself enough to do what’s right. 💛

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. Great blog. I went through a divorce from my first husband quietly. Actually he was the one that broke the news to both our families. I kept quiet because I was under so much stress being in a marriage that was over nearly 4 years prior, I really couldn’t handle the lack of support i knew I would get form family and friends. I got almost the exactly same comment from friends…………….It’s rough out there for single women! Like it was just as rough being in a dead marriage. Thanks for posting and sharing. We should all be so lucky, as to have a friend like Hope!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you for commenting. Yep, you feel like you’re on an island alone and people don’t realize that sometimes you just can’t breathe. You want to be able to enjoy life again and they would rather you stay in a dead marriage for the sake of saying you’re married.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  6. A great post as usual.
    Personally It took me quite some time to let people know I’m getting a divorce. And when I did, I got the same mixed reactions like you did. I also got the oooooh’s and aaaaaaahs poor kids. But it didn’t deter me. I didn’t tell them to have support, I told them so they could understand why I all of a sudden withdrew from the scene. It was nothing personal against them, and I wanted them to understand that I needed time for myself.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you. I had to tell my girlfriends. I was so scared. My girlfriend actually told me that she lost some friends as a result of her divorce. I couldn’t believe it. I needed people in my corner to support me. It was going to be rough. I’m thankful for those that stayed and those who left too. For their leaving let me know that there was room for those who valued me in my life. I withdrew when the vile comments and arguing pushed me to my breaking point. I was a shell. Weak and tired. All I did was cry repeatedly. It sucked.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  7. This is so heartfelt. I know where you’re coming from, I’ve felt that way several years ago and I even tried to throw him out of my life but he’s determined not to let go. In time, I realized that he loves his children so much to be able to deal with someone as difficult and as hardheaded as me. I think in depends on both parties, we all have our own reasons why we come up with difficult decisions in life. Stay strong for your child. Wonderful post!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. What made you write about this like it was recent? Just asking. 

    Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone

    Like

    Reply

    1. If you had read my posts you would have realized that I said this week was busy because I was moving so I was sharing stories that I never had shared before. LOL. Please read in order.

      Like

      Reply

  10. Wow. So moving. I love this. And I love your friends! I think the friends I talk about in my blog would have reacted the same 🙂 I love our friends ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment