By Guest Blogger Teresa Wilkinson
John and I were married on April 2, 1991. We eloped because I just couldn’t put the details together for our wedding. I couldn’t decide what I wanted… the big show or the small family wedding. Could I survive the embarrassment of all eyes on me at the big show? Or would it be fair if we did the small family wedding with only our parents? John had several aunts, uncles, and cousins that would surely be offended if they were not considered “immediate family.” So, I kept ignoring the whole marriage scene just to stay engaged. I was very comfortable sitting on the fence here. So John gave me an ultimatum, “Either we get married now, or the whole thing is off.” I packed up and within 5 hours, we were married.
I have to say he was right. We were meant to be married. We had two beautiful children and some fantastic memories. I was lucky enough to become part of a very large family of mixed races, cultures and social economic standing. I loved my new family as much as I loved my husband.
Our married life was great for some time. But then it began to unravel. At first, I ignored all the signs. The dissolution of my marriage began with my inner demons. The rapid decline of my mental health became a reality we could no longer ignore. There we were, two isolated people. Me in my world, and my husband in his. My husband took a bottle of booze with him for some extra comfort.
We had 13 years of a good strong marriage, but it was not enough to battle our prospective illnesses. We both ignored the problem for three more years, he is his world, and me in mine. We stayed staring at each other, both perched on our own branches. But out of frustration, anger, loneliness and heartache the name-calling began. We weren’t talking anymore, we were screaming at each other from those branches, our children caught in the middle.
We were certainly not being the best parents or human beings we could be. Yet, divorce was just not something we could talk about, because the pain was too surreal. I finally realized that staying married was doing more harm to our children than a divorce would ever do. I had to get off the fence and begin to repair my family and my life, by getting healthy and filing for divorce.
Filing for divorce was not exactly jumping off the fence. I think deep down I thought the whole process of divorcing would wake us up and scare us into staying together. But after we filed, I focused on healing our family and correcting our problems. At first, things started looking up for a while. Our children went into counselling and I began to see a therapist regularly. But, my success was short lived and I started blaming the whole situation on him and his drinking.
John then quit drinking, and I got crazier. John replaced me with another woman. I ended up in a lock down facility because I was a danger to myself. For six months I lost my children, my husband and my sanity. I finally woke up. My children and my ex-husband were healing, yet I was so stuck on that fence unwilling to admit that the divorce I filed was for the right decision.
When I finally took responsibility for my part, I was able to heal. I eventually reunited with my children and retook my position as a Mom. John and I share custody 50/50. I have two great kids, who accept me for me. I am an effective parent and mentor.
Divorce was the right decision for us. John and I are better parents dealing with our illnesses separately. We did not have the tools to deal with our illnesses together and it was as harming our children.
The area between us filled with mental illness, my compulsive behavior and his booze and inability to articulate his needs was too great for us to fix. I can say that today, John and I are in a good place together and with our kids. We worked hard to get here, and I’m proud of where I’ve come.
So what if you are sitting on the fence as I was dealing with something in your marriage or in your life? Take the plunge. Do the work. Whatever that plunge may look like – therapy, divorce, a decision to get better, whatever. But to stay perched on that branch stuck and unable to move, is no way to live. I know that now. And perhaps a small word of advice… never be afraid to ask for help.
I wish you all good luck in getting unstuck in your lives. May your journey be one of learning and healing.
Teresa Wilkinson
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Ladies tell us, how do you know when to throw the towel in on your marriage, or when to fight? Have you been suffering with an illness that has kept you stuck in your life and prevented you from truly living? As always, please feel free to comment anonymously. Remember, your words may help another in more ways than you can ever imagine.
xoxEDxox
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Tags: alcoholic, alcoholism, break-up, children caught in the middle, divorce, eloping, fight for a marriage, happy family, inner demons, lock down facility, Marriage, marriage breaking up, marriage elope, mental illness, sharing custody, throw the towel in on your marriage, When Illness Takes Over a Marriage
Vielen Dank für dieses Blog-es ist toll! Ich mag diese Art von Menschen, die Wissen mit anderen zu teilen.
Couldnt agree more with that, very attractive article
Great site!Thanks for sharing!
[...] little half siblings live me with me now. Our father died in the fall, and their mother became an alcoholic and is in rehab. If they didn’t come to live with me, they were going to go to foster care, [...]
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nice post. thanks.
[...] « When Illness Takes Over a Marriage [...]
Teresa,
Thank you for sharing your story. I, too, have experienced limitations from chronic illness. And you are right about getting to know yourself and finding a place that feels right for you. The support of family and friends have been my saving grace as well as spiritual strength. I’m happy to say that when you find rock bottom, the only way to go is up.
Kellie
Thank you Kellie,
I believe that discussing this topic and getting it out in the open will help others. Chronic Illness or Mental Health Issues can be taboo subjects. My admission of the damage to my children and marriage caused by a disease, that no one wants to discuss, helps me realize that I have something to give and that I am a valuable asset to our human race. If my story helps one family or person, then I am happy.
Teresa
Thank you for your comment Teresa. I hopt this will inspire people who need help, to ask for help. And that it will take away “shame” sometimes associated with mental illness. Thank you again for sharing your story.
Today’s post was very dark but I enjoyed reading it. What I took away is, many of us struggle silently with problems and we’re too embarassed to share them or ask for help. Teresa good for you for turning your life around and working towards greater mental well being. I wish you all the best.
I am in a greater, healthier place with my mental health. Thank you for the well wishes. It is so important for all of us to ask for help.
Mental illness is a particularily frightening occurance, because the victim does not recognise the symptoms without training. Look at it this way, if your brain and gut are telling you to beat on the refrigerator because then it will listen, (metaphor) and you do just that and you feel better. Would one believe what they did was crazy. My actions were so justified to me in my own mind at the time I was doing them. I really did not see how crazy I was behaving.
My goal in life is just to be the best me I can be. If I can help someone else by telling my story that makes me feel good. I am not embarrassed about where I have been. I am proud of where I am now and where I am going. I know the symptoms of my disease and I know how to prevent a breakdown as occured before. I know to keep talking, to keep bouncing ideas off others. My new husband Don knows my condition, knows what to watch for and supports and protects me with every fiber of his being. I am so blessed to have a second chance and such great children.
Teresa
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Erica Diamond, Erica Diamond. Erica Diamond said: New blog post!: When Illness Takes Over a Marriage http://womenonthefence.com/2010/04/13/when-illness-takes-over-a-marriage/ [...]