I didn't want to intrude on the other thread....where the 2 of you are having what I feel is a beautiful, honest conversation between friends. Both of you have made me cry.<P>Dear Student...I can't tell you how glad I am to see you on this forum. I never thanked you - but you helped me some weeks ago, before I decided to divorce my husband. Your responses to my thread on the emotional needs board kept me thinking for a long time - and you definitely helped me clarify my own thoughts in what was a very hard choice. <P>This is my heartfelt thank you now. <P>Please don't ever think that you have nothing to offer to those of us at Marriage Builders. I think your beautiful understanding of love and commitment is a benefit to all of us, especially for the women. <P>And Dear Sheryl,<P>I haven't been around at MB for very long, and even less time over here on the D/D board. But in the short time I have been here, I have come to have a lot of respect for you.<P>I have come to see you as a lady who struggles very hard with her own demons, while trying to support and help those around her. I don't think you should feel responsible for those who would use your story as justification for infidelity. In fact...just the opposite. You are living through the consequences of infidelity, both yours and your husbands.<P>So you haven't figured out all the answers yet...who has? Everyone makes mistakes, and honestly Sheryl, what I admire about you the most is your willingness to admit them, and to talk about them for the sake of others.<P>I'm certainly not going to judge your choices. I have a great deal of respect for what I see - a woman who is honestly seeking to become a better person, and to figure out what is right. And that desire is what makes you stand out from the crowd of WSs ... those such as TheStudent talks about, and mine too. <P>I don't think you should concern yourself too much with what others may or may not decide for themselves - using your story as justification. Most people will find justificiation for any kind of behavior, and you are not responsible for their choices, or their own responsiblity to form their consciences.<P>You provide alot of comfort and insight to alot of us. Thank you.<P>((hugs to both of you))<P>

<tears><P>That's the best I can do at this moment.<P>Thank you.<P>(((((BR)))))<P>------------------<BR>~Sheryl<BR>(a bit worse for the wear, but hanging in there)<P><B>Life <I>is</I> difficult</B>.<BR><I>The Road Less Traveled</I><BR>~M. Scott Peck

Bramble Rose, sorry to pop in on your thread.<P>Sheryl, I also like the way you try to help others despite your own pain or decisions. <P>I think we ALL here have something to offer and the variety of opinions is what makes us stop and re-evaluate. We're all human, all in pain and all make mistakes, and we all deserve forgiveness. Sometimes by helping others, you help yourself heal the most in the process.