The Evolution Of My Story

Praying for you and your family, sweet Ali.

I stopped in after clicking on the image from pinterest. Your words were brief but genuine, heartfelt, sincere and gentle, I had to comment. To wish you all the best and a very Merry Christmas!!!

Ali, your family continues to be in my thoughts and prayers. Many, many years ago my father decided he wanted something different in his life. As I sit here now, 33 years old, I can assure you that life does go on, even when it seems as though it is screeching to a halt.

May God grant you courage and peace during this transition and may the pain be only temporary. Trust in the knowledge that you are most definitely not alone, and that the pain you are experiencing will lessen in time.

Ali, you are a remarkable woman who has positively impacted so many lives. Thank you for continuing to be an inspiration to all of us.

Many blessings to you,

Kelly

sending you love. and strength. and grace. and patience. and hope. always hope.

having gone through a divorce, i can only tell you that it will be hell...and then it gets better. your inherent sense of balance, love of family and strong knowledge of yourself will guide you.

merry christmas ali, simon anna and chris. may 2012 bring you peace.
jenn

Oh, Ali! I am so sorry. May God wrap His loving arms around you and comfort you. I hope you have a peaceful holiday season.

My heart is rooting for you Ali. I've been in the position you're in now. My children have come through it marvelously well because above all everyone in their life has maintained the commitment to their well being. They are loved on all the time. In turn my family and friends have rallied around me and that has been such a great source of comfort and peace. You are a strong, loving, brave and brilliant woman. May the Lord bless you and wrap his loving arms around you during this difficult time. You can do this!

You have two amazing, beautiful reasons to not only get through this intact, but to find that new chapter in your life with awareness, with confidence, and with hope that you will find much better days ahead. My brother went through something similar, and all parties involved will say that they're all in a much, much better place now. All of us here are sending such a big push of positive love your way. XO R

Wow, how brave you are to share such hard news. I don't know you personally, but it feels like I do, and my heart aches for you. But you will survive. I did :) And I am truely more happy than before. Anyway, love to you and your children. Wishing you much happiness in your future. God Bless!!!

Hi Ali, I just read this story, and for being so honest it is humbling. I have one little recommendation.. Gary Chapman 5 love languages. It was a wonderful book that helped my husband and I when we went through some hardships. I hope that it helps now, and if not with future relationships.

Trust that God has it all under control.

I love the opening quote you used. Hope you don't mind if I borrow it. I am also going through a separation and I am trying to focus on the joy that comes with spending more time with my two young children, having a bit of space to myself and thinking of all of the positive opportunities and experiences the world has in store for me. It has a lot of positive things in store for you too, Ali. God bless.

Dear Ali, you are in my thoughts and prayers across the miles and oceans. You are an inspiration on how to live, thank you and take care!

ali, i've been a faithful reader for many years but i don't typically comment. i am catching up from being offline since before christmas. 860 comments is remarkable - and to see the lives you touched take a moment to encourage you is precious.

i am so sorry to hear this and i'm sure it wasn't easy to write b/c so much cannot be written. i'm just one more person here who is broken hearted for all of you and nothing is too big for God to make good.

He loves you and your family. press into Him.

Just sending you all some belated hugs and happy thoughts

First off, it makes me sad to know you all are going through this.
Second, it is nice to see how positive you are with everything.
You and your whole familly are in my thoughts and prayers! Remember to always take care of yourself as then you are able to care for those specials in your life.
Wishing you a blessed New Year, full of all the very best life has to offer :)
Peace Ali and thank you for all that you share with us

I have thought of you often since you had mentioned something about this in September and have been praying for you and your fmaily. I think your word you picked for next year and the quote from the movie it comes from, is perfect and inspiring for anyone going through difficulties in their lives. I so agree when you say that nothing about this is easy. My parents divorced when I was 11, and as others have said, the best thing for your children is to keep a positive relationship with their father, and never speak unkindly of him and hope he does the same. I once heard Dr. Phil say that any criticism of an ex-spouse is a criticism of your children as they are made up of half your ex-es DNA. I thought that summed up exactly how I felt growing up. It is something I wish my parents had heard 25 years ago. Many prayers to all of you going forward. I know you will move into this next chapter of your life with grace and courage!

While my story is different, I can tell you that I have enjoyed rediscovering myself and the woman I am. REDISCOVER was my one little word several years ago as I prepared for this journey alone. The next year's word was JUMP. And then MOUNTAIN. This year's is READY. I am ready to live, love, laugh, learn and climb another mountain. There are ups and downs, but the journey has been worth it.

Best of luck to you in this new chapter. Take time to embrace it, even at its roughest and darkest moments. Remember there are shoulders and ears and arms around you to help you through those moments. You won't just be stronger, but better. I promise.

oh how my heart hurts for you! i am so sorry to hear this! i know the pain you are going through. we (my daughter and i) are two and a half years out from it and i can tell you that it does get easier...believe it or not...and there really is something wonderful awaiting you and those babies that you can't even dream of right now! sending so much love and support and prayer your way, girl! please be kind and gentle with yourself during this time...i've come to understand that is one of the best gifts i can give my daughter is love for myself...does that make sense? i hope so! thinking of you...
~amy

Reading your post tonight made me shed a tear for your family and mine... I am also going through a divorce and not having my child with me for the past 10 days while she's on holiday with her dad is unbelievably hard... We are not perfect and we have to look "up" and move forward... Thanks for sharing your life with us. Hugs, Ant

My thoughts are with you- especially since I am going through the same thing- since July when my husband of 13 years left. We too are keeping it positive for the kids. We are 2 professionals- and we want what is best for them given that my husband wants something other than our family. You are exactly right- there is nothing easy about it... everyone keeps telling me that I've got the best divorce they've ever seen- at one point that made me want to vomit or punch someone- but deep down- as hard as it is on me sometimes- I understand that's how it has to be for the kids. You CAN do it- and there are things that are a little better- free time- for me a relationship with God that I did not have before.. everything happens for a reason... I like your word: "up"... I'm still thinking of mine.. but 2012 will be better for both of us. Thoughts & prayers coming your way. xoxo Linda

I'm heartbroken for you as I read this, Ali. It takes a very brave person to accept that life isn't full of white picket fences and perfect lives and have the strength to move on from it whilst trying to appear undamaged in front of the children. I admire you greatly for opening up to us and letting us into this devastating and heartbreaking time of your life. Please know that we are the chain link fence along the path you walk along, we are your shadow in the sunshine and your shelter in the rain. We are you biggest champions. You have made such a difference in our world. You are not alone.