My ex husband and I
took a divorce cruise...
my friends giggle when I share this,
but its true!!:)
Its on my mind
right now..
as soon;
my children and I
embark on a cruise
of our own!
I will have many
current memories
to share..
but, now
I am thinking of 'then'.
We did not actually plan
it as a divorce cruise..
we were married and coming
up on 15 years!
So 7 months before
we cruised,
we booked.
A lot happened in that 7 months..
and when it was time to sail,
we were ready to sign the papers
that ended our marriage!
Continuing on the cruise
was a hard decision..
we were going with another couple..
and to Alaska...
I chose to go.
I am so glad I did!
It was surreal..
we agreed NOT to flirt,
or act single..regardless of how close
to the end we were!
We were NOT, in fact, single!
We went on the cruise still married..
maybe harboring hope??
We ate together, laughed together...
we zip lined and four wheeled.
my heart broke a lot...
I journal-ed,
I cried...
I began to let go..
but it was hard watching
what it could 'have' been
fade before my eyes!
Maybe one of the hardest
things I have ever done....
We were good together
on the cruise..
comfortable, friends, companions...
we even WON the 'not so newlywed game'..
and were given marraige advice
by older couples sitting at our table..
sometimes I wanted to scream.
"ITS not REAL..its OVER"..
but, I did not!
I knew if there was any chance
EVER..this was it!
The day the cruise ended..
we wondered...
could we fix this??
but we knew
the world was waiting.
It was easy to be OK in the middle
of the ocean.
Not so easy when life picked up again.
The reality of what was
overcame the fantasy
of the week at sea......
And so,
we went ashore..
picked up our kids
and returned to our home
for the last time..
and 3 weeks later signed
our papers
and I moved out!
I think however,
that cruise,
as surreal as it was...
set the scene
for a positive post divorce relationship.
We have remained
good to each other,
with only a few hiccups
along the way..
So, maybe
divorce cruises
are not such a bad idea
after all....
:-)
wow is all I can say. Good for you! :)
ReplyDeleteOh my gracious, that's beautiful Deb. Just, beautiful. I am literally crying over this amazing expression of feeling. And you know that is not like me. I love how you continue to help ME get through YOUR divorce! I am almost over it! LOL! Have I told you lately that I LOVE YOU and you are one of my MOST FAVE people in the world?? You are. I SEE you woman, and thou art worthy.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I could have done that! That is amazing! But a cruise to Alaska may have tempted me that is for sure. Glad you had a great time. But I know that had to be one of the hardest things you have ever done!!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs
SueAnn
I honestly wish that could have happened in my case but unfortunatly some people don't believe they are still married until the papers are signed and I applaud both of you for your integrity
ReplyDeleteWOW ... that is amazing!
ReplyDeleteWow! Good for you! That is not something I think my ex and I could have managed.
ReplyDeleteI know I say this a lot, but you express yourself so beautifully. Sounds like the cruise provided some sense of closure.
ReplyDeleteA divorce cruise? I presume you had separate..... ships.
ReplyDelete