I am not a victim, so why do I sound like one?

I have to say right up front...nothing happened to me that I didn't allow.  It's easy to say I didn't see it coming, I didn't see the signs.  But really, it was easier to pretend it wasn't happening. 

I am absolutely guilty of allowing myself to be abused and then to letting myself believe that my abuser was actually going to be cooperative and allow me and our daughters to live a life that didn't involve chaos and drunken rages. 

Now I have to endure my ex's harassment, listen to him curse and terrify my children (while I'm on the phone with them), and rely upon a mother that helped my ex renig on his agreement to let my kids come with me when I moved and she worked to keep my kids here so that they would still be near her.  And that is also my own fault.  I allowed this to happen by not making it stop.

Why do I feel compelled to share all of this with you?  Because I know that someone out there is in the same position I was a year or two ago.  I know someone out there is suffocating and so stressed out that they are having chest pains daily and aren't sure if they are going to live or die and at times...just don't care any more. 

If that is you...let me just say...if I were back there two years ago and had to make the decisions I've made all over again, knowing what I know now...I'd probably do things a little differently.  Here's what I'd have done:

• Now that there are phones with video, I'd have videotaped that motherfucker screaming at me, breaking things, slamming doors, and my terrified kids asking me why he was doing that, what had they done?
  
• I'd have figured it out on my own, I would not have relied upon anyone.  Difficult to comprehend doing it alone? How about finding out your mom and friend are sharing all of your thoughts, secrets and plans with your soon to be ex.  Yeah, I'd make a plan and keep that shit to myself.
  
• I'd have his traffic records and DUI stops on paper and on hand when we went to court
  
• I'd have video of him driving drunk on hand when I went to court
  
• I'd have a copy of  the conversation between my son and I regarding my son having to drive the drunken piece of crap home when my son was only 14 years old.
  
• I'd have been ruthless, because he never every intended to do anything that was good for anyone else, it's always been about what's in it for him. 

So...KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING!! Really.  I can't stress that enough.  Be prepared and keep track of everything!

I'm starting over with a slight disadvantage, but I still have two girls that KNOW I love them and always have.  They KNOW their dad lies and they KNOW I'm never going to give up on them.  That is all I need to keep going and do what needs to be done.