Disappointments that turned out for the best

I was made redundant when my boss moved away from the small town I was in. I was a single parent to 2 teenage boys, with a mortgage.

I could not find a job to compare as regards pay, hours and conditions no matter how I tried. I decided to move to a town 6 miles away where property was cheaper, and to a smaller house.

In doing so I paid off the exiting mortgage so I bought the next house mortgage free. It was the best thing I ever did. I was also now living on the coast in what is now a very desirable area. I also went on to be able to semi retire in my 40's.

Yes I’m a big believer, that if something doesn’t work out, it wasn’t meant to be. Something my late father in law consoled me with on several occasions.
I once fell madly in love with a house, we viewed it, had a offer accepted, then our buyer pulled out. This went on for nearly a year, we became quite friendly with the vendors, we saw them so often. Eventually we had a very firm offer on a Friday evening, and on the Saturday, rang the agent as soon as they opened, only to hear that the vendor had accepted an offer the day before.
But, not wanting to lose our buyers, we set straight out to look for something else, and found a house which was in a lovely location, we did a lot of work, but it was eventually a beautiful house, we had fantastic neighbors, and spent ten very happy years there.

When my first and second sons were born, I was really disappointed. The first one was the offspring of a violent and abusive man so I was so scared he'd turn out to be the same that I was wailing that I didn't want a boy. Within 5 minutes he was rushed to SCBU and I was desperate to have him back. He was there for 5 days and that fragility of life has meant we bonded well. He is the most lovely husband and father.
My second son was born after I lost my baby girl and nearly my life. I took a bit of a gamble that the condition I had with her wouldn't arise again, lost a twin on the way and he was eventually born. His father was smitten and I didn't have the heart to say I was disappointed after all we'd been through. He has been a brilliant son and I am so proud of him.
My disappointments have turned out to be a complete joy.

Having been told that I wouldn’t be able to have children, my second pregnancy made me feel extraordinarily blessed. 15 weeks into the pregnancy I had the news that the baby was very damaged and pressure was put upon me to terminate. When I refused, I was told that he wouldn’t live long after being born in any event. Anyway, she is 39 next week , has a BSc and is the mother of two beautiful children. Life is full of wonderful outcomes.

Couldn't agree more with Caro57. I was married for 17 years until he upped and left me for another woman. I had married very young so was still only in my mid thirties. We didn't have children. At first I was heartbroken and thought I would never be happy again but I met a lovely man and we bonded over the fact that his wife had left him too. It wasn't love at first sight but we gradually became closer and to my surprise I became pregnant (had always thought I couldn't have children). We have now been very happily married for 37 years and our wonderful daughter gave us a beautiful granddaughter three years ago. I rarely think of my first husband but when I do I realise that he gave me the best gift ever by leaving me.

I once went for a job in a the next town to where I lived. It was with the same ‘firm’ I was working for but a smaller office where I would be pretty much my own boss dealing with the public. At the interview one of the panel was a man who really disliked me and the feeling was mutual (another story!) I knew there and then I wouldn’t get it he used the excuse because I’d had a recent hysterectomy I’d probably have more time on sick leave and it might ‘happen again’??!! I went on with the same employer and was promoted twice to a much better paid managerial job with 17 staff to manage, more annual leave and no travel expenses. It turned out to be a far better outcome with the added bonus of fingers up to him?!

My son had this problem. The first 2 houses fell through and then he found the perfect one just up the road, so keeping friends and schools was a positive with a better house in a better place.

Similar story. Didn't get a promotion ( probably mainly because someone who had more experience in the exact job had just joined the organisation).
Had left previous organisation due to issues of conscience.
Having failed to get the promotion ( to better paid, full-time post), it wasn't clear whether I would have enough hours employment to pay the bills.
Was getting a bit worried as I was main breadwinner and DH health not great.
Saw another ( better paid) job I didn't think I'd get with a much larger organisation. Got the job and was there for 10 years before retiring.
My son also ended up getting work in the organisation where I'd failed to get the promotion which he possibly wouldn't have had I still been there, so he benefitted too.

Exactly the same as your colleague, Bewitched. I can remember sobbing in my car when I didn’t get a particular job but it absolutely turned out for the best. Also when I went on maternity leave 35 years ago, the company wouldn’t let me return part time. At the time it seemed devastating but made me change career direction which was the best thing ever. I am always telling people that when one door closes another opens which is invariably better.

I had my heart set on a house, paid for all the surveys etc and sold my house. The vendor changed her mind at the last minute and pulled out. I had to move back into my Mum’s but drove around every night until I saw a for sale sign in an empty house which looked a bit run down but in a lovely area. I sneakily opened the side gate into this wonderful back garden and knew I had found ‘the one’! 25 years later I am still here with my lovely family and am so glad that the first house fell through! Big believer in things happening for a reason.

My son is looking for a house, two have fallen through but I definitely believe things happen for a reason and he will find the perfect house eventually!!

My first marriage ??