Just coming to the end of my first 48 hr break in a month. I spent 10 of them dogfighting?!?!?! The lure of broadband was just too much. Yes Mrs Roo, I did Skype the family for 20 minutes, so I wasn't entirely irresponsible.
I just want to say thank you for all the warm greetings from in-play MOMs over the weekend. For the past few days I've been keeping a low profile on the thread because, as you might expect, I feel pretty bad about the recent turn of events. I was no innocent bystander and fully expected to be handing in my badge.
The best thing for me was Coop's 'all cool, water under the bridge' message. It meant a lot to me.
Max, I'm glad the court gave you a good outcome. Thank you for sharing it with us. My parents went through a very nasty divorce when I was 12 and my Sister 14. It was a terrible time for us. They both said they loved us, but spewed hate at each other, which was nothing short of torture. Of course I don't have your full picture, but if I can give you any advice, let your daughter understand both sides, and don't let her think that her mom is just plain bad. You have won in court for good reason I'm sure, but you need to prepare for when she will make her own choices.
One day your innocent girl will be my age, a bit wrinkly, with her own kids, and with two frail old parents who are running out of time and just want to matter. I don't quite know what point I'm making - I guess it's that I can deal with their former weaknesses (alcohol, debt, infidelity), but I still can't get over their fundamental betrayal (in my head) of me and my big sister. Whoever was right, whoever was wrong, they both took from us. So, whatever was in the past, start building for the future.
Anyway, enough of that. I'm rambling - attention seeking probably (lol).
Cheers to you all. Thanks for putting up with me. Really, thanks.
Rob