Getting divorced? Here are some true stories of divorce from the book “You Can Keep the Damn China! And 824 Other Great Tips on Dealing with Divorce” (Hundreds of Heads Books, http://www.hundredsofheads.com/, $13.95), straight from people who’ve lived it:
As the song goes, “Regrets, I’ve had a few . . .” However, as I look back I don’t think I’d change a thing. As totally incompatible as we were, we sent four very wonderful compositions of DNA down the pike toward eternity. We had four great children!
-Bill Strain, Kerrville, Texas; married 21 years, divorced 35 years
Divorce sucks, but it beats the alternative of staying unhappy in an unfulfilling or unhealthy marriage.
-Anonymous, Indianapolis, Ind.; married 10 years, divorced eight years
I have noticed a tremendous change in myself since the divorce. I am now an outgoing, happy person who deals with any and all difficult issues in a positive, head-on manner. How I moved on after our divorce was to not continue to be a victim. I sought some therapy for the children and myself, and I went back to work after being a stay-at-home mom for 10 years. I also pursued my modeling career after being told for many of those 10 years how ugly, fat and stupid I was. To date, all has proven to be successful for me and the children.
-Anonymous, Indianapolis, Ind.; married 10 years, divorced eight years
Even though divorce can be painful, try to see the blessing in it. You were obviously not married to the most compatible person for you, or to the person with whom you can live your happiest life. Now you have a chance, and the power, to find the person that is your best fit. Some people stay unhappily married for the rest of their lives because they are too afraid to end it. Not you. You had the courage to give yourself a second chance and a new beginning. Enjoy it.
-Liz, New York City, married one year, divorced one year
Very often when a family has to watch a loved one suffer a terminal illness for an extended duration, when the loved one dies there is a sense of relief and gladness that the suffering is over, and so it is with my marriage-its death was inevitable, but my life will go on. Holding on to the past is detrimental. When you’re driving, how much time is spent looking ahead, and how much time is spent looking in the rearview mirror? It’s impossible to move forward the best we can while we are so busy looking behind.
-Walter Mcmahan, Austin, Texas; married 13 years, divorced one year
Hundreds of Heads Books’ survival guides offer the wisdom of the masses by assembling the experiences and advice of hundreds of people who have gone through life’s biggest challenges and have insight to share. Visit www.hundredsofheads.com to share your advice or get more information.
