Mrs. O: thank you for your words and for sharing todays devotional. It was beautiful.<P>Mike and LetStry: I'm not sure how, but I think my original post may have gotten off track. I <B>don't</B> have any issues with my ex-wife's family other than the fact that we don't have that much contact with each other any more. Her entire family still loves me and cares about me very deeply (as I do them), but out of respect for my ex, they are keeping their distance. I understand this and I find no fault in it. I <B>do</B> feel upset and disappointed with the behavior of my ex and <B>her</B> lack of compassion toward me when it came to the passing of a family member whom she knew I had cared for.<P>I only have good things to say about the family that was taken from me. Even though I don't have constant contact with them, they are always in my thoughts and my prayers. I have stayed away from them almost as much as they have stayed away from me. I have done this because it was too painful for me to remain a part of their lives without having my wife at my side and I imagine they feel the same way. They have expressed to me their confusion and heartache as a result of my ex and her decisions, but they don't want to turn their backs on her and neither do I.<P>I have tried to stay away from them the past year and it has been hard. Her grandparents are especially close to my heart and grandma has been rather ill for some time now. I have decided that the time is right for me to spend more time with the grandparents, mainly becuase I miss them and I know that grandma's time is limited. I don't want to look back at this point in my life and regret staying away because of the divorce. I have spoken with grandpa and I don't feel that my visits will be an intrusion.<P>Stepping back and realizing that even though we don't have the same day-to-day contact, remaining abreast of each other's lives is a comforting thought. I love these people and I'm not going to allow a piece a paper to take them from my life completely.<P>WIFTTy: I don't think you are being harsh with me in any way. In fact, your observations/thoughts here have really made some sense and have made me think. I always welcome the brutal truth because it generally helps to clear the murky fog and makes me see things for what they really are.<P>Thanks all <P> <BR>