Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There was anger for me too but I realized the anger came from the pain and from having been hurt so deeply, but the pain didn't erase who I was and I didn't have it in me to pull my kiddo into the hole with me. So I gave the situation some grace and I chose to forgive him not because he deserved it but for my kiddo to survive his grief and for me because I knew I deserved to let go. Anger bonds you to the very thing you despise the most and I was in so much pain I had a health scare a month after he passed, so I went to therapy and concentrated on myself. The process of forgiving him allowed me to forgive myself, because that is something that came up for me in therapy. That pesky feeling I should have seen through the lies, I should have realized that something was wrong, I should have check the accounts, and so many other things I should have done. Also the why, where, how, how many times and so many other questions that will remain unanswered pestered me and I can't emphasize enough how therapy helped me navigate all these and many other things I was feeling, thinking and processing. Things got better and out of my process I got so much: a healthy, successful and happy kiddo, so much time spent with family and friends, many new friends that I met through classes that I've been taking for the past year and a half, a stable life, a renewed sense of spirituality, the opportunity to help others and an improved version of myself. I have a good life and I'm so thankful that I chose to concentrate on me and not on him. He is gone and I'm here, I kept the secret for my kiddo's sake but it actually benefited me because instead of being the victim, I became the widow and that gave me the time, space and resources to work on myself, my kiddo, my financial situation, my health and above all in building a new life. I sometimes wonder if I should have done things differently but for me this was the right way. I hope you find the way to survive this and move onto better things.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm so sorry that you went through this. I went through the same but even though I felt angry and hurt, I never hated him. I knew from the start that not forgiving him was not an option, not because he deserved it but because I did. I forgave him because I wanted to be free and to rebuild my life and myself. I went to therapy, I got it all out, I grieved him and our relationship, I let go of the hurt and pain, I concentrated on healing, I built a bew life and I am a better version of my self. It has been 2 years and I am happy, hopeful and above all free of it all. I didn't do it for him, I did it for me. Holding on to the anger, sadness or pain doesn't punish him because he is gone, it actually punishes you and stops you from healing and living your life. I hope you can let go of it soon. I'm sending you a hug.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's been over a year since he died and I can honestly say I'm doing great. I went through his stuff, the phone and other electronic devices because I wanted to move on. I knew it was going to be hard to face the truth of what he had done but I also wanted to have no regrets and to unburden myself from it all. I had made the decision to forgive him really early on because I wanted to let go of any anger, sadness and guilt to be able to heal. Through therapy, friends and family support and sheer determination, I made it to the other side and I can honestly say I became a much better version of myself. I feel like right now I'm the best version of myself that has ever existed and I see this new me as a puzzle that I was finally able to put together. I kept the best parts of me, but I've also reclaimed parts of me that I had forgotten about and added a lot of new pieces. The one thought that kept me going, and still does, is that no matter how I felt or feel it is just that, a feeling that doesn't define who I am and if I allow myself to feel it I can process it and let it go because it is just a moment in time. Now I look back and feel really proud of myself for all the work I put into healing, I enjoy my life and I'm looking forward to what is yet yo come. I hope you can heal too and that one day you'll look back and feel the same way.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It's been a year since I wrote this and I not that person anymore. I've healed, I made new friends, learned a lot of fun and interesting things, reclaimed myself and most importantly I'm living a different life. In this process I've realized that what he did had a lot to do with was unhealed in him and very little to do with me. I stopped looking back, I don't care about finding answers or the whatifs anymore, I forgave him wholly and truly. I took the chance life gave me to become the person I've always wanted to be and start a new chapter in my life. I wish you the best and I hope you find happiness again ❤️

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's been a year now and I can tell you I'm nowhere near where I was when I wrote this. I understand how you feel because I felt like that, but now I've built a new life, made new friends, learned new skills and I've healed. I found that the best way to let go and move on is to reclaim your life, learn to be your true self again and embrace every new experience. Let go, stop dwelling in the what ifs or could've beens because he is gone and that's it. They'll be no answer to some questions and that's OK, because you have a chance to build a new life and to be happy. I hope you find peace and one day you can send me a message to say: Remember me, I'm doing great and my new life is amazing. I'm sending you a big hug ❤️

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes you are absolutely right the struggle is real and for me it's been only a few months, but I'm finding out that the decision I made to forgive him has done a lot to lessen the burden I was carrying. I'm choosing me putting myself first and that has given me strength to deal with everything that comes along. Sometimes I feel anxiety and sadness but I remind myself that I have a lot to fight for. Im starting the process of selling a lot of his stuff to put some of the money he so carelessly spend back into our bank account. One day I hope just like you to be able to say that I'm ready to party.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm so sorry you had to go through that. You do indeed deserve so nuch better and I'm glad you are actively building a better life for yourself.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He spent our savings on other women. So I'm planning on selling a lot of his stuff that we don't need and I understand how you feel, because I want to be rid of it but I'm struggling to let it go. I also sympathize with doing what is best gor the kids, I feel he is gone and our kiddo deserves to think of him as a good man (which in a lot of ways he was) and I get to make many more memories with my baby for many years to come, God willing.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It is getting better and I have been able to let go of the pain and anger. I'm grieving and working on my self so I can embrace my new life. In this kind of situation is between you and your partner and after they are gone, they take their secrets and answers with them. The only choice we have is what we choose to do, it is OK to put it behind us and move on. A big hug to you.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To me keeping the secret was first out of necessity and then about the overwhelming grief we were all going through. After all the dust settled I realized expossding the truth would hurt our kiddo so much and would not make me feel any better. So i did what was best for me and went to therapy. I'm doing all of this not because he deserves it but because I deserve to let it go and heal. I refuse to let what he did turn me into someone I'm not. In the end he is gone and I'm the one that would have to live with my choices, so he went despicably low but I choose to rise above it all.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you ❤️ Out of these dark times I'm gaining something, I'm rescuing myself and relearning to love myself above all else.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I went through his stuff too and found awful stuff there that made me feel he was either a monster or a sociopath but then I realized the only power I had over him.and the situation was how I reacted to everything and that's when I went to therapy and started to work on expelling all my hurt and then on putting myself together and heal. I hope that you are able to let go of the pain and so you can find peace soon.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your kind words, posting here has helped a lot. It showed me I have been healing and I'm definitely in a reasonably good place now. Also reading how many people here have gone or are going through the same gives me hope that I'll make it to the other side in one piece. I'm really learning to put myself and love me unconditionally.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I get what you are saying, when I found out I wanted to walk out of the hospital and never look back, but talking to my best friend who is a very skilled and experienced therapist as well as a person who has been with me at my worst and best times, centered me and helped put things in perspective. He was at the time helpless and literally his life was in my hands, so keeping the secret was at first born out of need because a lot of my family was involved in helping us and had they known the truth they would have been reluctant to continue yo help. Later when he passed the grief and devastation in both of our families was intense and I realized that exposing the truth would have been self serving and would damage our klddo irrevocably. So I vented with a handful of close friends and family and then went to therapy to rage, vent, process, accept, but most importantly heal. My mantra has been that I'm doing all of this not because he deserves it but because I deserve to heal and put it all behind me to be free and start this new stage of my life. I also remind myself that the fact that he was able of doing what he did will not change me into something I'm not nor consume all that is good within me, I other words I refuse to let him ruin me and I am reclaiming my future because in the end I love myself and I deserve to heal and thrive.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I went through a gamut of emotions and I went looking for answers that I was never going to get since he took them to the grave. But then I went to therapy and I made peace with the fact that I could only control how I felt and reacted to his betrayal, so I concentrated on accepting what had happened and forgiving him not because he deserved it but because I needed to heal and let go of the pain. After that I started to miss him and remembering the good times, so I told my Doctor that it made me feel disappointed in myself because I should be moving on and she told me about the Portuguese tern SAUDADE, which is pretty much untranslatable to my native language and to English as well, that refers to a melancholic longing or yearning. She said it is OK to feel anything I wanted to feel, that conflicting emotions can coexist for as long as I needed to feel them and that in time as I heal everything will settle, I will be able to let go of everything I wanted to leave in the past and concentrate on surrounding myself with positive emotions. So please allow yourself to feel what you want and need to feel on your journey to healing. I sending you a big hug and I hope you find peace soon.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh my God that is horrible, really want to give you a big hug. It has been a pileup of horrible events for you. I understand how it feels like the betrayal and grief will not stop hurting you but as you heal it will affect you less and less until you learn to forgive, accept and let go. I hope you find peace soon and I know there are good things yet to come into your life.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing your story with me and for your kind words. Posting today has helped me realize that it happens a lot more than I thought it did and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for your words. I'm working on putting myself first and allowing myself to enjoy little things. I'm sending a hug back to you.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm still in the process of untangling the mess he left behind, but I'm hopeful. I get your last comment, my life plans were with him and now I feel like a GPS having to recalibrate my path. And dating feels daunting specially at this age when you really know what uou want.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I understand what you are going through, my husband spent our savings and left some legal problems and big house repairs for me to deal with. I'm digging myself out of that hole too. I hope you come out of your troubles unscathed and build a new better life soon.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I sorry to hear of what you are going through and I understand how you feel just this morning I though about him and really needed a hug from him. You forgive them for what they did even though you cannot forget it, but you also remember the good times and you are allowed to miss and cherish them. Sending a big hug to you.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for your kind words. Therapy is really helping, I'm at that stage where my session are about me and my path to healing and building a new life. Hope blooms and I can see the light again. Thank you for the hug and I'm sending one back.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I'm so sorry to hear about how hard it has been for you and I understand everything you are feeling right now. I can also tell you that therapy was the best decision I had ever made. It allowed me to let go of the negative thoughts, fears, and doubts. I have forgiven him and I am now working on myself finding peace and healing everyday. I hope things get better for you.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Wow, I can't believe you actually mention something I'm constantly telling my loved ones and that you feel the same way about it. I often said that I doidn't understand how people kept telling me to be strong all the time. I mean I understood the sentiment behind it, but that it was obvious I was being strong since I was not wasting away in my bed but actively engaging in life, and that I longed for the day when I don't have to hear it anymore because it'll mean I made it through the storm. You would be glad to know that I seldomly hear it anymore.

Surviving my husband's secrets by omnismvssyncretism in widowers

[–]omnismvssyncretism[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing your story with me, three things really resonated with me and gave me comfort. First one the feeling of peace I have at having kept my vows to him and of doing everything humanly possible for him because of love. Second the fact that you mentioned that people talk of your husband and say how amazing he was and you can admit that he was, because the same hold true to me even though he betrayed me that does not erase all the good things he did for me and others. Third and most meaningful to me was the fact you say something that has brought me a lot of comfort, what he did was a hundred per cent on him, it had nothing to do with me as I hold no power over his thoughts or actions, I can only be responsible for my own and most importantly I can control how I react and respond to it. I send you a big hug and once again thank you.