One more little story of hope for you all. <BR>I have been thinking of all the people at MB over the last few days, in the middle of my memories. I've tried to post this a couple of times but been interrupted. Let's see if I can finish it this time. <P>Last year was the absolute worst Xmas of my life. I was recovering from my concussion and had known for less than a week about my H's affair. The night of discovery I asked him if we could at least make it through Xmas for the kids. I spent the whole week in terror that Boxing Day would come and he would leave me for the bimbo. <BR>Boxing Day came, he got up and left for 36 hours - no word.<BR>It got worse before it got better. The months that followed were filled with this terror and helplessnes.<P>Yesterday was the best Xmas of my life. We are a family. For the first time I really felt that H wanted nothing more than to be with us. The boys wanted to be with their father. It was the most relaxed day I have ever spent. We were up for an hour before anyone went near the gifts. The guys went out to chop firewood, spent time with each other. There were no pressing engagements...<P>After the gifts were open, my H told me to look on the tree for something new. I found a gold ornament that opened to reveal a family ring. To me this was the ultimate commitment to being a family.<BR>Last night I told my H how much it meant to me. He began to sob and just cried "I'm so sorry" <BR>Last year that alien was in full control of this man. The alien is gone. The bimbo is gone. I truly believe for the first time in years that she is gone for good from our lives. We can go forward. <BR>I hope that the worst Xmas of my life has been survived and pray that there will never be another that bad.<BR>I have so much hope for all of you. If we could get this far in a year, miracles do happen.<BR>Prayers for you all!

WS-<P>Your posts always make me feel so tingly!! <P>I am SOOOOO HAPPY that you had a wonderful day. You deserved it, my friend.<P>What a great gift from you H. Tingly!<P>I am so glad that the 'real' H is back and the alien and BIMBO are gone.<P>Miracles do happen, but we need to be patient.<P>Many Happy New Year's to you and your family.<P>God Bless,<P>Cheryl<P>PS- Keep posting those happy stories.

wassi,<P>You brought tears to my eyes...a FAMILY ring!!!!! Good old guy!!!!!!<P>After all you have been through, what great joy to be and feel REALLY united at last. I am so happy for you, your boys and your H, too.<P>You are going to have a WONDERFUL New Year!!<P>Roll Me Away<P>------------------<BR>"Life is made up, not of great sacrifices or duties, but of little things in which smiles and kindnesses and small obligations, given habitually, are what win and preserve the heart and secure comfort."<P>Sir Humphry Davy<BR>

Wassi-<BR> I was thinking about you so strongly that I thought I would check in on the board. Isn't it great? This year is a complete difference. For 3 years I have been asking for the same thing, kinda silly but I always wanted this power tool, a dremel. For 3 years he's totally ignored me and last year was the worst, we had the OW and her H over for dinner. This time I told him no swine for dinner (we had standing rib roast but that wasn't what I was talking about!) He bought home prime rib and said he wanted to change the way we did christmas. We did. It was the best day ever! Though I didn't get my ring like you I got woken up christmas morning to the present of him whispering in my ear how much he loved me and how glad he was that we were still together! Needless to say, I got the dremel this year and a day of total rest (today) with us cuddling in front of the fire with our feet together and both of us reading a good book. Wassy, it's real this time, I feel it. Thanks for getting me through some rough times and though I probably will still lurk here I think I am definately on the road to recovery! God Bless!<P>------------------<BR>Chick's <BR>Bren<P>You won't see things until your ready to not be blind!<P>

WS,<BR>I'm so glad to hear things are finally going good and you had a wonderful Christmas. You sure deserve it! <P>Now remember, build on this time,,this time together, making new memories. Take pictures, lots of pictures. These are the times we need to cement in our memory to carry us through the rough spots.

Okay now I'm crying!!!!<BR>ceecee<BR>I'm so glad it makes you tingle.<BR> You're right about patience. Do you know how many times I recited "patience is a virtue, patience is a virtue...."?<BR> I hesitate sometimes writing these posts. I know what people like Kat, Nerly, Almost Happy, and their success stories did for me. I just don't want to make anyone feel worse, only better.<P>Roll me away<BR>New year's will be a challenge. He spent New Year's eve in a hotel with the bimbo and he will probably be working this year. But after that I hope the challenges will be fewer. Hang in there.<P>chick's<BR>Too Funny!!!! I got a dremel a few years ago. I love it and I asked for it too.<BR>I'm glad you got your's. Apparently we have more in common than our age and birthday. <P>Nerly<BR>My hero!!!!!<BR>Merry Christmas!<BR>My mail was down for a few days. Just got your e-mail. Will write more later. Happy busy around here. <BR>Yes I'm getting there. I think the problem is mine now. After H's tears last night I don't know that I can ever take him back there again. No matter how sad I may be in the future. I think I have to stick this one out on my own.

WS...<P>I'm so happy that your x-mas was absolutely wonderful. What a present! After that last horrible x-mas, you now have a wonderful memory of this x-mas....your new beginning.<P>My x-mas was beautiful too. My H made a home-made card for me and wrote loving things in it. He spoiled me w/lots of presents and bought me a personalized ornament w/my name & his name on it.<P>I'm still not at the point where you are...where I'm positive that the bimbo is out of our lives completely, but I someday hope, that soon, I will reach that point. I don't think he is seeing her...but I just pray she won't pop her ugly head in our lives again.<P>I'm so happy for you. Thank you for posting this. Your story is hopeful and inspirational.

No Trust<BR>I'm so glad you had a good day too. You deserve it!<BR>I'm at that point today but you know this roller coaster. Who knows what I will belive tomorrow. The bimbo seems to be gone. I still have a few lurking things I have to deal with regarding her.<BR> I know that I get closer and closer each day but I also expect and accept the bad days too.<BR>One day at a time! And count the good days!

I'm sitting here weeping with joy over the Happy Christmases some of us are having this year. I guess some of our spouses have managed to pull their heads out of wherever they had them stuck.<P>Now, I'm praying that we <B>ALL</B> will have a Happy New Year!!

Oh, Wassi, that was so wonderful to read!<P>I can't tell you how much it means to me - to all of us I know.<P>So happy for you I could just cry. Think I'll go ahead and do it. A family ring. What a wonderful gesture!!<P>Love and hugs to you and yours.<P>Lori

WS,<BR>Things are born at Christmas, and so a new love was born for you and your Husband.<BR>What a NEAT NEAT thing to receive from him to remember the time. I bet you were beside yourself, oh my Gosh, two of you! Now your H is double lucky!<BR>Now here is my lecture to you.............Don't live in the past! Live for now and the future.<BR>I'll E you tomorrow, if I can reach you up there, HIGH ON THAT CLOUD above your mountain!<P>AH<P>-------<BR>TIME

I am very happy for you! I have been following your story since I first came here! Congratulations and keep going! My story seems to be coming together like yours,, thank God... I too, hesitate to post here because of the roller coaster,, but like you, so many other successful and hpopeful stories helped me,, so I want to help others too!! Keep in touch!

hi wassi,<BR>This is wonderful news!! The learning curve was a long one, but he really is a doll, isn't he?!<BR>I am so happy for both of you. <BR>Stay on top of the rollercoaster, stay in front of things. It will be a wonderful new year for all of us. (((hugs))) cl

Being one month into recovery, I LOVE THESE GREAT STORIES concerning recovery... I tend to only read a few posts now and then and don't post much since the feelings of all of you I can relate to so well, but I only want to stay in the recovery/positive mode... I just am so happy for all who are in recovery and LOVE to read how the relationship is coming back to a romance/love state... I want to be there!!! <P>Years ago I got a dremmel from H too.... Its a great old second hand one he saw one day and picked up for me.... Ive used it much cozy

WS,<P> Four smily faces--that makes a wonderful family portrait!<P>I'm so glad I checked in today--I feel your joy!<P>My H has been terribly sick for the last 3 weeks, but we had a great Christmas, too, even though I know he didn't feel well. Our boys really enjoyed the day--it felt so good for the four of us to spend our Christmas morning together. Some things are just meant to be and this is one of them!

It's so nice to see so many old friends!<P>Sweetpea<BR>Read your post and CONGRATULATIONS to you! You have been through a lot and just kept going!<P>Lori<BR>You're doing great. I have this good feeling for you. So the PT was alone on Xmas I'm guessing? Hang in there!! Count all the good things <P>AH<BR>I'm trying I'm trying. It's that time thing you know. The past needs to get farther away.<BR>Told H once that I'd like to think that one day I won't even remember her name. not likely since it's one of the most common names in the English language. I'm working on it though. <P>Mickey<BR>I'm so happy for you too. You know I've been keeping track of you too. It seems the success rate is pretty good don't you think? I guees we don't notice it because so many of us don't want to jinx it by talking about it? <P>cl<BR>You're absolutely right about that learning curve. H is not quick sometimes but when he does come through it's bigtime!!<P>cozy<BR>I'm glad it helps you to read this stuff. I really do hesitate most of the time. <BR>Funny thing about recovery.... I don't think I we started recovery til about 6 months after the affair was over. Too much went down for me to believe in forward movement. Keep it up!<P>Sherrilynn<BR>Merry Xmas!! <BR>My H hasn't been around much during this time of one year anniversaries. Working too hard so I'm on my own. I think way too much!<BR>I'm so glad you popped in. I know you understand. It's so nice to see our sons "like" their dad isn't it? H had yesterday off and they went ice fishing. I think the family part is the most important to me!!<BR>Hope your H is feeling better soon.<BR>Don't be a stranger! <BR>

WS:<P>I am new to the board and will go immediately to your story! I want to know how to build and successful conclusion to my story. With luck and God's help, I will be able to report such a wonderful conclusion next Christmas. I can't express how good it is to hear success stories! I am so happy for you!<P>------------------<BR>Jesse

Jesse<BR>I read your profile. You have been very patient and seem to be on the right track.<BR>Please share your story with the others here. The more you talk about it the more help you will get.<BR>Your wife is addicted to the OM. I know how long that can go on. Please post your own thread and share more of the details with those wise people here.

WS: I am nearly at the end of my patience. I can see no long term future for us as long as the affair continues. Many parts of our marriage have vastly improved, so I'm grateful for the opportunity for us to make it someting more, but I feel we could make so much more progress if she were involved 100%. My only other alternative seems to be Plan B, which I feel is too risky. I'm very frustrated! I guess we all feel this way. Our spouces are such good people who have made a bad decision. How does on post a thread? <P>------------------<BR>Jesse

Jesse<BR>Sorry I didn't get back sooner. To post your own thread, click on "Post New Topic" instead of "Reply". <BR>Please share your story. I can imagine your patience is running thin! Read the info on the baord. Read as much as you can.<BR>My kids are taking over the computer so I can't be here much. There are many people wiser than me!<BR>I'll be checking.