Quasi,
I know you are trying to be a good man and help someone who needs some help, so what the hell, I will take you up (partially) on your offer. I think I shall vent a bit and you can tell me if I am a doormat, crazy, or whatever. I’d love a little feedback and I will opportune myself of your kind thread if you don’t mind.
As you saw in another thread the soon-to-be ex wife is in Hawaii having a fling while I work and take care of her animals. I have very conflicted emotions on this; part of me resents her having fun while I work long hours and take care of the animals, part of me enjoys not having her around and thus having to deal with her issues - and she has many. As anyone who has had a loved one with PTSD and other issues can attest, life gets complicated real quick.
But alas I am not enjoying the full benefits of the second part of the above paragraph, because she keeps calling me and talking to me as if I’m her best friend in the world, and she is telling me a lot of details I just don’t wish to hear.
Now I know the reader will quickly say “don’t be a doormat!” and “dump the bitch already!” and trust me, I’m there, I’m a believer. However having been through a tough and expensive divorce a couple years ago, I’m trying to think of how to get through this one as simply (and inexpensively) as possible, so there is a lot of tongue biting going on. Also, frankly, anything I am told is information I know instead of being kept in the dark, and in situations like this I have learned to appreciate that.
After just fielding a phone call last hour the likes of which no retelling could possibly do justice, I sat and penned a letter in response. I like writing things because it allows me to say exactly what I want, and nothing more.
So far, here is what I have:
*(Wife’s first name),
I am sorry your trip has not worked out the way you wanted it to. But I think I need to make a few things clear here.
I feel very used and unappreciated for having to watch the animals while you run off to Hawaii for 25 days to go have a fling with someone else. I am finding it harder and harder to justify maintaining a relationship with you. Its like you have no damn clue how your actions affect others, or you don’t care.
It’s not like I care whether you have gone off to go fuck someone else, or whatever else you choose to do. More power to you, go do your thing.
But what I do know is that I am being taken for granted. Just because I have spent the last few years listening and helping doesn’t mean that is going to continue. Indeed many of the things you have said to me, even if they were ‘in the moment’ or ‘during the heat of anger’ have a lasting effect. You have done great damage to my ability to care.
And while it is mildly flattering that you seem to want to share your life experiences with me, I have to ask you, what are you doing for me? *
And this is as far as I got before I ran out of steam. Obviously it’s not done, and also a letter of this magnitude I would sit on for a day or two before sending anyway.
Anyway, there ya go. Feedback appreciated. I am pretty secure with myself and my plans, but if anyone else has a thought I’m all ears.
Merry Christmas Doper Friends!