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recovering from betrayal.is it possible?

(297 Posts)
dancingfeet Wed 08-Jun-11 19:57:31

Four months ago I discovered that my husband of 43 years had betrayed me in a totally horrendous way in order to prove that he was still 'up for it' and a younger man at heart.I am putting all this mildly as the truth is unprintable. I had no idea he had even entertained such thoughts and was of the belief that we were a happy couple, the envy of all our friends. Since the discovery I have been totally overwhelmed with grief, loss, disbelief and anger.It doesn't seem to be getting any better and we are living in separate parts of the house. I have not had the emotional strength and courage to tell the family and feel trapped and despairing. Is there anyone who has experienced similar at such a late stage in life or who has any advice to offer.

Grannylin Fri 11-May-12 20:07:15

Full of admiration for you gran7. I've been contemplating and struggling with your a) b) c) for 10 years Nemonan. Don't waste your life.

Butternut Fri 11-May-12 19:23:33

gran7 - I am so please for you. Hope your future is full of sunshine

nightowl Fri 11-May-12 19:10:56

gran7 and nemonan I admire your courage. We all have to find our own solutions, but you give me hope. I don't believe it's ever too late flowers

Ariadne Fri 11-May-12 18:52:48

gran7 and nemonan love to you both, brave ladies. xx

grannyactivist Fri 11-May-12 18:41:41

Gran7 and NemoNan sending you both good wishes. sunshine

NemoNan Fri 11-May-12 17:09:59

I haven’t visited this thread for a while, so thank you all for your messages of support. This is on my mind always – the first thing I think of in the morning, right through to the last thing at night. I do feel much calmer now, and am not bursting into tears all the time. The difference, I think, is that when I came home from a few days away on my own, where I had been doing a lot of thinking and trying to work through all my options, my (D)H had reverted to type. I thought that I would come home to a man determined to do everything in his power to mend our relationship – no such thing. He is either (a) thinking everything’s ok now and we can carry on as normal, or (b) if he keeps his head down I will ‘get over it’ or (c) he knows it’s not going to work so why bother trying. So, although I can’t leave as yet – there are commitments I can’t get out of, not to mention financial things to sort – I am planning in my head what I want to do & how I can do it. I have decided that whatever I do it will be what is best for me – for once, I come first. Now I need to stay strong and focussed on that goal. No doubt I shall be back for advice when the time comes to move on, and in the meantime I hope I can return the favour with support for others in a similar position.

Great news gran7 good luck and flowers

greenmossgiel Fri 11-May-12 16:55:11

Well done, indeed, gran7! The very, very best of happiness to you in your new life! flowers

nanachrissy Fri 11-May-12 16:51:01

Good for you Gran7, I hope your move to independence goes well! sunshine

glassortwo Fri 11-May-12 16:42:43

gran7 you sound so upbeat, its lovely to hear that you are getting things sorted. flowers

whenim64 Fri 11-May-12 16:26:38

Gran7 that's wonderful news - more power to your elbow! You've found out what a strong woman you are and you have happy times ahead of you. It's rather like a honeymoon period that lasts for years when you get your own space and sanctuary, and can control what happens in your own home. I'm delighted for you. Good luck with your imminent house move flowers

soop Fri 11-May-12 16:25:21

Gran7 What an amazing lady you are. Your update sounds upbeat and positive. You are a winner. Very well done. flowers

Gran7 Fri 11-May-12 16:14:51

Hello Everyone

Its me again. Just to give you an update, I think I have found my own place. Its a 1 bed house in a great as area, and I even have some friends that dont live far away.

He is still bullying me by text message, but have shown them to my solicitor, who is writing to him asking him to stop, or face court action. I have also filed for the divorce. That is going to shock him also.

I am getting stronger as the weeks go by, and have started on the road to making new friends, and already have 2 lunch dates lined up. Life is good at the moment and I cant wait now to move in for some peace and quiet. I love my son and family dearly but I need my own space so that I can get used to it and just be myself again.

To anyone who reads this and is going through the same thing, take heart, you are doing the right thing. Your self-respect is much more important than having a man that destroys everything that you believed in before you met him. You are strong and a surviver like me. Please feel free to contact me any time, as once I am in my own home I will be able to come on here whenever I want to. You will also get plenty of support from the lovely ladies on here who have helped me through some difficult moments. Be strong and be Brave.

Thank you all again Ladies. The best thing I ever did was find Gransnet. Love to you all.

flowers flowers

jeni Mon 07-May-12 17:26:07

You're doing fineflowers

soop Mon 07-May-12 17:20:20

Greatnan That ex-husband of your daughter was a total waste of space. I can't help but feel angry [and bitter] on her behalf. Had I been married to him, I would have longed to stuff one of his precious tins where the sun don't shine. I wish her well smile

Greatnan Sat 28-Apr-12 18:04:03

My daughter was married to a control freak who took the lock off the bathroom door (he also insisted on all the tins of food facing the same way!).
When she first met him, she was warned by one of his old school friends that he was exceedingly unpopular at school which usually gives you a good idea of a man's character. He used to choose her clothes and lay them out on the bed each day. After 14 years, she discovered that he had been downloading gay porn on the family laptop. She will never trust another man, so at the age of 46 she has given up on relationships.

I have the utmost admiration for any woman who makes the decision to leave a partnership that is not enriching - you are brave and deserve to get some happiness.

nanachrissy Sat 28-Apr-12 17:40:32

Gran7 it is so hard at first, I used to have panic attacks in the supermarket, but you will get there in the end! sunshine

Mel Sat 28-Apr-12 14:39:43

You are doing so well Gran7 but, even though you may be having blips, you are in control. Its very hard doing everyday things and watching other happy couples being normal but hang on in there and make the most of your son's support. I can remember queuing up in a supermarket on Valentine's Day watching ordinary men buying flowers and being consumed with anger to the point that I came home and shattered the windscreen of my OH's car...you are far saner than that! smile

soop Sat 28-Apr-12 14:15:30

Gran7 Shedding tears for the loss that you are still in the process of coming to terms with, is essential for your well being. I admire your strength and resolve. You will overcome. flowers and smile

Gran7 Sat 28-Apr-12 13:53:08

Hi Friends,
I think I can now call you that, and thank you for your encouragement and support.
I am still resolved in divorcing him and starting a new life for myself, although yesterday I had a "wobble" in our town centre. Seeing people out and about laughing and chatting, just generally being happy, I lost all my confidence and started to cry. I felt so dependant on him and that I could not do the simplest of things like going shopping. I got to my sons house and cried my eyes out. It was more in anger than anything. Even going food shopping before, he would be there with me. Looking back I should have seen the signs of him making me dependant by taking the lock off the bathroom door. Anyway today is a new day. I have looked at some property with my son and there are a couple of possibilities there. I love my son and his family dearly, but I need to be on my own to get over my fears, plus I will welcome the peace and quiet, lol. I have actually done my hair in a different style and applied some make-up as well. This is a first for me in along time. Going into town shortly with son, so should be ok.

Nemonana
Please keep in touch. Take each day as it comes knowing that you will get through this. I have had amazing support from everyone on here, and believe it or not it's they who have kept me strong. I am thinking of you, and hope you are alright.

Love and Hugs to everyone
Gran7flowers to you all

Grannylin Thu 26-Apr-12 17:41:58

What a wonderful feeling of power, self respect and independence coming across flowers to Gran7 nemonan, and dancingfeet

Ariadne Thu 26-Apr-12 17:26:29

Yes, do, nemonan!

And Gran7 well done! I am proud to be one of your virtual friends. xx

dancingfeet Thu 26-Apr-12 17:10:00

HellonemoNan I have just read your thread and I cannot believe how many of us betrayed grans there are out there. What does this say about the men of our age. The ones we have loved and trusted for so many years. Can't they stand the fact that they are ageing. Do they feel they have to go out having affairs with other women to prove that they are still men. Why are they prepared to risk everything including their loved ones and families in order to make themselves feel good. Maybe if there are any men reading this they may want to add an oppinion, but I think that would open up another hornets nest.
It takes years to get over betrayal and I am still suffering and raging with anger.
You are not high jacking the thread and I am looking forward to another post from you. If you feel like I do you will need as much help as you can get and as I found it's not always available from the most expected sources.
Please stay in touch.

glassortwo Thu 26-Apr-12 16:17:38

Gran7 stay strong flowers
NemoNan flowers

Butternut Thu 26-Apr-12 15:59:08

Nemonan I didn't feel you were hijacking this thread in the slightest. Your contribution is as valid as any other. Looking out for your new thread though!
Take care.

nanachrissy Thu 26-Apr-12 15:39:29

Gran7 well done for leaving, and ignoring his e mails. It is very, very hard, but you will find strength you didn't know you had.
It can take a long time to heal, even after 20 years, my ex can sometimes still get me angry, by his actions to others, but it soon passes.

Good luck to you, and you too Nemonana