My divorce was hands down the most difficult thing I have ever gone through in my life. While things ran rather smoothly, I thought my life was over. At the time I just knew nothing good could ever come of it! But I was wrong. In light of Thanksgiving I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking of the things I am so thankful for and believe it or not my divorce is at the top of the list this year. Now I realize this may sound a little crazy to most of you. Why in the world would anyone be grateful for something as horrible and earth shattering as a divorce? If you had asked me that at the beginning of the year, I would have wholeheartedly agreed with you.
But for me, my divorce meant second chances. This was my second chance at happiness; my second chance at building the life that I had always wanted to live. To say the first month was hard would be a vast understatement. I could barely get out of bed in the morning. It was all I could think about. Each day dragged on for what seemed like years. Then all of the sudden the pain started to ease and by the fifth week in, I realized that even though I was an emotional wreck, I was already happier than I had been when I was married. It wasn’t until after I was out, and on the other side, that I realized just how miserable I had been all those years. I was in denial about how bad things really were. I had put on a face for so long that some even believed I really was happy, but those who knew me well, knew better.
Today I am thankful that my husband left that night, because if he hadn’t I never would have had the strength to do it on my own. Him leaving gave me the chance to find myself again. It made me reach down inside me and find the strength that I never would have known that I had. I’ve done things I never in a million years thought I was capable of. While I would never wish a divorce on anyone, I will be forever grateful for mine. Here’s to second chances! Happy Thanksgiving!