The following article was written by my lovely wife Emily. She shares her perspective of her parents divorce as a child and how she eventually found happiness.

Emily’s Decent: A quest for happiness following divorce

Happiness after divorce seemed impossible to me. At ten years of age I witnessed my parents split, in that, they traded a verbally and physically abusive relationship for an even more confusing competition for my five siblings and my attentions. Christmas was a fairytale times two. Who could outshine who with more presents? Sadly it was lost on six lonely, confused children who just wanted the non-stop fighting to stop. For good.

I should be happy now, as, I have wished for this my entire childhood. But learning how to find happiness from divorce would take many years. I have no warm fuzzy memories tucked away of the love I am certain they once thought to be real. I planned for this and warned my younger brothers and sister of the impending divorce.  How could I find happiness now that my father, whom was the “fun” part of growing up, was no longer a resident?  I watched my Mother suffer her inability to find peace with her decision to end a treacherous marriage. My Father quickly found his soul-mate much to my Mothers dismay. I witnessed a lot of hand holding and laughter. My new Mother was so positive and beautiful. I longed to grasp onto their thread of contentment. All I found was the bitterness and loss my Mother fostered, like a small child’s worn, threadbare blanket. How would I get to a place where the sunshine brightened my face? [Read more…]