What Is Real Right Now

As soon as I read you post, I stopped and said a prayer for you and Chris. I don't have the eloquent words that others have written. Here's a hug.

Ali - I dito what a lot of everyone has already said. You are truly an inspiration and a joy to your family and to "us." I love this post because you do keep it real and so inspire us with that. Sending lots of prayers, support, strength and love to you and your family as you navigate through this challenge.

Thank you for being so real, because being online it's so easy to put out only the good and leave out the bad. Our 4 year old is developmentally disabled, although he has not been officially diagnosed with anything else - which is sometimes frustrating. We also have a 12 year old, who is dealing with all the issues that come with middle school and being an almost-teenager. And our little 16 month old who is suddenly realizing she has her own opinion about everything! :) All these things put strain on us and our marriage. All that to say...I know where you're coming from.
I was reading my Bible today and came across this passage and it helped put me at ease a bit -
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Matthew 11:29-30

Ali, you truly are amazing and inspiring. Thank you for your honesty and transparency.

So sorry, Ali, to hear you and Chris are struggling right now. Sending you lots of positive thoughts and hoping you two can come together. I admire your honestly and vulnerability on your blog. It is something that I have a hard time doing... putting myself out there. My life is far from perfect. I am just not comfortable with putting too much of my personal life out there for the world to read. It is scary to me. I get enough criticism from the people around me in real life, that I am not sure I want to take the chance of getting it virtually too. I love coming here reading, mostly lurking, seldom leaving comments. But I have been reading a long time. I really do applaud your honestly!! Wishing for you all the very best!!! Hang in there!!

Just wanted to let you know that you and your family are in my thoughts, and I send all good vibes your way! There are always ups and downs, but somehow that is little consolation to me when I am immersed in the rougher patches. You all have so much going on, it seems, and I can see how totally overwhelming that could be, so I would say be gentle with yourselves and with each other and breathe. Not sure that any of this is helpful, but wanted to let you know that I send you as much support as possible, and you have brought so much joy and comfort and inspiration to so many of us, so I wanted to give a bit back...

Ali...That is life and your's is just like everyone else out here. There are ups and downs and good times and bad times. It is remembering that the important parts of life are the ones that take us through the most challenging times. You are strong, you know what you want, and you will come through this (sooner or later) better, stronger, and have more love for each other. Trust me, there are days when you just want to give up, but you will make it through this time, this is now. We choose our paths and you can make it what you want. I pray that Chris is willing to work through it also. Kids change life, work changes life, and change is hard. Hugs and love to you.

Many blessings and prayers to you as you are in this season. God is faithful to your perseverence.

Ali - My heart and prayers go out to you, and you and your family will continue to be in my thoughts. Your post spoke deeply to me as I am wrestling with the same issue. Thank you for the transparency, the courage to say the truth, and your willingness to share with all of us. You send so much good out into the world, it is wonderful to read all the amazing, uplifting vibes and support being sent back to you (they are so well-deserved). I pray you find strength, grace, and peace towards eachother, along with an ability to meet on common ground, but also pray you remember to be kind to yourself. You are an amazing and inspirational woman and mother and you are full of wonderful, good qualities! Hugs!!

Sending you a big cyberhug Ali.

After 24 years of marriage I would just say keep trying, don't give up and be forgiving.

A friend of my mother's told me, right before I got married, that about every 5-7 years she found that she didn't like her husband at all and wondered why in world she had married him. This was surprising coming from a woman I had always thought of as having a terrific family life. She went on to say that after about the third round of this she was able to recognize the pattern, brace herself for changes, and come out even happier than before on the other side.

You can do this Ali, you are an amazing and strong woman. You are an inspiration to so many of us. I am sending prayers for peace and happiness your way.

sending you love, prayers, best wishes and these words: Marriage is hard, but it is worth it. Times are hard, but it's worth it to stick together!!! Take some time for just the two of YOU! Praying for you both!
tara

Ali, Thanks for the "real" post. Your not alone in this. Alot of us have that "disconnected" feeling with out significant others. Sometimes it's something trivial and sometimes it can be life altering. Keep an open mind and heart and you guys will figure out the right thing for both of you. Sending positive thoughts your way. Good luck ;)

Hi Ali,
You are an awesome source of inspiration to many. You're an outstanding lady & you are strong. You & yours are in my prayers. Hang in there Ali.

Denise

This sounds depressing to type this, but I read this and cried. But not because I was sad so much as crying is my emotion of choice (after having 2 children it seems??), and I just wanted you to know that despite my tears, your honesty is full of strength and courage. And well, that made me cry. :) And my other thought is that no matter what path your journey travels you on, may you experience growth and peace. Growth hurts more than I expected when I was younger :) (and I'm 36...) and I hope you find peace along this part of the path. Peace and comfort in that others have often walked the same or very similar paths and have endured/come out stronger/lived to tell about it :) *smiles* and that I still hold that there will never be a part of the path you have to walk alone if you believe in God. Even dark, lonely seeming ones. Sad ones. Hard ones. All of them.
Thumbs up to Simon for the start of the school year. Thumbs up to Anna for being fiesty ;) ha. And you will be in my prayers in the coming days, weeks & months concerning yours & Chris' relationship. Definitely praying you will weather your storm/s with more grace than I have with some of my mine.
Heidi in Ontario

The nice thing about having been married as long as we have been, is that you know there will always be ebb and flow. Trust that the good times will return and the disconnect is only temporary.

oh my Ali, it takes a lot of courage to share what's "real" & my heart goes out to you. sending you hugs & prayers to you & your family!!

BIG hugs to you. I hope things start to look up for you very soon. It's no fun going through challenging times with your hubby :( BIG hugs!

You are such an amazing, always inspiring, positive person, Ali! Sending you all the strength you need at the moment for a softer tomorrow.

Sending you some peace. Sending you prayers. Sending you energy & stamina. Sending you my favorite motto 'this, too, shall pass' (which got me through many dark nights& days when I became a divorced single mother a few years ago). Each day, one at a time.

Sending strength and love your way. This seems to be a struggle for our time. A struggle of professional Mothers with the extra twist of a neurologic disability.
I pray you will have the strength to maintain your choice.

I rarely comment, but I want you to know I will be praying for you and Chris. I've read your blog for years, and your honesty and openness are part of what I find so inspiring here. I hope the challenges you feel right now lead you both to a deeper, stronger relationship! {{hugs}}

Hugs and good thoughts coming your way :)

Dear Ali,My prayers and positive blessings to you and the family. You have picked me up and inspired me in so many ways that if I physically could be there I would be hugging you and the family and giving humble thanks for our blessings. Did you know that a challenge is the Lords way for you to chose your growth and trust in Him.I can share with you on the days that I was most down and depressed reading your blog and you sharing your story and family
gave me the lift and strength to move on. See He used you as an instrument as He does always to each of us on a one on one, day to day, minute by minute, basis. When we are in midst of the challenge or chaos we often cant see the clearing but as the movie "7 days to Utopia" said S F T
SEE IT FEEL TRUST....THAT IS HIS WILL. I am adding you to our prayer chain and definitely will offer a special intention Mass for all of you . blessing and Hugs

You are blessed,

Sharon Dryjanski from Phoenix AZ Creative Quest class
ps. Simon is awesome. I am amazed how he has advance so well with reading and so on. Now Anna she is your sparkler!! If you could reply on my email I have something to mail to you but do not know where to send.

I'm praying for you and hoping that you are able to turn to the Lord and His Word not only for personal strength, but as a way for you and Chris to become closer as you become closer to the Lord.