This is for a Digi-Dare challenge - theme --> find a negative and make it a possitive.
I decided to scrap my parents divorce and how it's shaped the person I am today...that being the positive ;)

Journaling: (There's a ton...so get a big cup of coffee if you're going to actually read it) ;)
My parents were married at what I consider a very young age. They weren’t teenagers, but they were in their early twenties. They look happy and in love, and I have no doubt they were at the time they married and even when I was born. I wish I could remember those times, but I was far too young. All my childhood memories start after they divorced. I was really young, I think that was a good thing. I thank my parents for not staying together
for me. I can't imagine how I'd be if I had grown up in a home with two parents that didn't love each other. Children deserve to live in a loving environment.
Life Lesson

Until I turned 18, I was pretty ignorant in regards to why my parents divorced. Actually, I was pretty much clueless about their entire relationship. I always had wanted to know about their life together, but at an early age I sensed it was a subject neither wanted to discuss, so I never asked until my 18th birthday. It's strange,I'm not sure why
I asked at that point. I think I felt like I was an adult, I had the right to ask the questions and deserved to have them answer. Now at 35yrs old, I realize I was younger than they were when they got married and started a family. I was far from being an adult.
Life Lesson

My relationship with my mom has always been strong. She raised me, provided for me and loved me every moment of everyday. Not to say my dad didn't love me, but his presence in my life was very limited. My mom had custody
and that left my dad with a few visits throughout the year. Not much chance to build a strong relationship in those circumstances. Children shouldn't be torn between their parents, they deserve the opportunity to have strong
and loving relationship with both parents.
Life Lesson

My mother was very open at sharing the details of their courtship, marriage, and divorce. She surprised me with how kindly she talked about my father Especially when talking about how much he loved me and what a great dad he
was from the time I was born. I think I was expecting tons of negativity from her, but she proved me completely wrong. Even when she told me the exact reason for the divorce she was calm and forgiving. I think she realized
I needed to know both my parents loved me and the problems they had that led to the divorce had nothing to do with me. She again put the things I needed above her own feeling and emotions. She did what was best for me.
Life Lesson

After talking with my mom, I called my dad. I was extremely upset and very angry. I had just learned the marriage had ended due to the relationship becoming abusive. I had never in a million years expected that to be the reason. When I confronted my dad, he didn't deny anything, which made me even more upset. How could this be? How could he be that kind of man? How could I be the child of such a man? So many questions ran through my mind. So many hurtful words came out of my mouth. This first call ended with my hanging up on him. We didn't talk for several days. He didn't reach out and neither did I. I can't remember who made the next call, but it was just as heated and hurtful. It actually took three years to come to terms with why my parents marriage ended. It took three years to forgive my father for what he did to my mother and how it had impacted my life. It was a very tough three years, but when
I reached the point of forgiveness, life had so much more clarity. I realized I loved the person I had become, and
wouldn't be this person if it weren't all the experiences, good and bad, in my life.
Life Lesson


Papers and elements from Grandmas Attic by Michelle Coleman
Stamped Alpha from ThisLove by Dani Mogstad

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