VAs I pulled into my ex-wife’s driveway, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over me. This used to be my home, where I shared laughter and memories with my family. Now, it’s a reminder of how much has changed.
My kids, Sarah and Jack, were sitting out front, fundraising for a cause they believed in. I was proud to see them taking initiative, but little did I know, their efforts were rooted in a misunderstanding that would break my heart.
As I approached, they excitedly shared their goal: raising money to buy a new daddy. I felt like I’d been punched in the gut.
Where did they get this idea? I soon discovered that they thought I was “sick in the head” and that’s why I didn’t live with them anymore.
Goldie, my ex-wife, and I exchanged horrified glances. We had failed to explain our divorce in a way they could understand. We spent the evening clarifying that I wasn’t going away forever, that I would always be their daddy, and that our love for them wouldn’t change.
As we hugged our tearful children, I couldn’t help but regret the pain we’d caused. Maybe we should have waited longer before calling it quits. But looking at Goldie, I knew we’d made the right choice. We were still a family, just different.
In that moment, I realized that divorce isn’t just about two people; it’s about the little ones caught in the middle. We must find a way to mend the pieces and create a new normal, one that still overflows with love.