The Evolution Of My Story
It's always been my goal to authentically share my story both in my scrapbooks and in this online space.
To me that means addressing the good, the bad, the beautiful, the successes, the challenges - the very real pieces of my life.
As many of you have noticed, and some have commented and emailed, Chris has been mostly absent for some time from the stories and photos. He has decided that he wants something different with his life and we are in the process of getting a divorce.
Chris continues to maintain an active role in the kid's lives.
There is nothing easy about this.
It's very hard and very stressful and very sad.
And yet, the story continues for all of us. For him and me. For the kids and me. For him and the kids. And there are many, many things I have to be thankful for in my life.
I've always maintained, and taught in my workshops, that not all stories need to be told.
But here, in this space, it's important to me that there's a general awareness of this change. This will allow me to more authentically share my story going forward.
A few months ago I asked for your prayers, your positive energy, your wishes of strength and peace, and your compassion. I'd humbly ask for your continued kindness as this specific chapter closes and new ones begin.
As you consider leaving a comment I would also humbly ask that you focus on something positive, compassionate and/or uplifting. Our heartfelt intent is to maintain a positive relationship as we move forward in our lives.
Wishing all of you, especially any of you who may be experiencing something similar within your own family, peace during the Christmas season.
Lots of hugs to you and your wonderful children. I will keep all of you in my prayers. You are an amazing woman
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To both you and your family, may you find the joy you all deserve in your lives. I am feeling for you right now as I stuggle with my own relationship. Merry Christmas and I sincerely hope the new year brings peace and happiness. Much love.
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Alittle late on the comments here, but we love you! You have been in many thoughts and prayers for some time now and your followers wish you and your family only the best. Hang in there and enjoy the holiday season and all of the blessings 2012 will bring!!
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Like many others, I noticed the absence. I could already tell how gracefully you are handling it. What else would we expect? My thoughts are with you and the kiddos. Thank you for keeping it real...just one more reason to admire you.
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Thank you for your bravery and strength in sharing your life. You are loved and cared for by many. Praying for your family during this season and as you move forward. PS - thanks for the quote. I'm going through a hard season myself and this quote gave me some encouragement.
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Ali,You are strong and brave and clearly an incredible mom to Simon and Anna. I don't have any magic words for you and so many of your other blog readers have shared such beautiful thoughts above. I am one more person who appreciates & admires you, and I am praying for you and your family. I wish you peace of heart as your navigate through this difficult time.
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I'm so sorry. You have a wonderful outpouring of support and prayers and love and positivity from this community that you have nurtured here. I hope you can feel it washing over you in times of hurt and buoying you up in times of weakness.
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Dear Ali,
Just wanted to leave a short comment here to say that you have not just shared with us how to scrapbook but how to live your life in a better way and we have all learned those lessons from you over these many years. I'm not sure how I would have managed my son's autism diagnosis earlier this year, without your stellar example before me. You are such a wonderful mother to your children and daughter to your mother, your family will be with you and you also have all the positive energy sent to you from around the globe, reflecting that which you have been sending to us all these years.
Love
Ruth
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I've been following for sometime now and you've always inspired me to do beautiful things but most of all I follow you because I love your life philosophy, this is a bump in the road and you will get through it with grace and intelligence. We will continue here with and for you always.
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Tears. Grief. Sadness. These hardships are the things that make us real, genuine, deep, STRONG people. As you go through this storm, feel God's love (and mine!) warming you. This will not be easy - but know that we, your followers and friends - will have grace. When you need time off, take it. When you need to vent, we'll listen. Know you're not alone, Ali. *Peace*
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Ali, I too had my suspicions about what you were struggling with. I am so sorry that you are dealing with such sadness at what should be a joyful time of year. You will come through this a stronger person. You give such inspiration to so many of us, I hope we can return the favour and lift you up in your time of need. You are loved because you are real, thank you for continuing to be so. God bless you and your family. You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
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Ali, I wondered if this was the situation, but knew that you would share when you felt led to. When I went through my divorce 3 years ago, I found comfort and solid advice from a program called DivorceCare (if you google it, they have programs all over the country). I had to go through the 14 lessons more than once as the first time I was so numb and hurt that nothing sunk in. I remember there is a section on surviving the holidays. There is also a lesson on Reconciliation. They explain that there are different levels of reconciliation, and even being able to be in the same room and civil to each other around the children is a form of reconciliation. I can truly say now that my life is better than before, even though I had a Stem Cell Transplant for leukemia with various complications in the past 8 months. You and your family are in my prayers.
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Ali, although I have met you, Simon and your mom, I'm just another face in the crowd. But because you have shared your life and your heart so openly, I feel a connection. I noticed the absence but was so hoping for a different explanation. God bless you and your family this holiday season. I will pray for you all.
This benediction came to mind after reading your words; so from my heart:
The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord lift His countenance upon you,
And give you peace, and give you peace,
The Lord make His face to shine upon you,
And be gracious unto you, be gracious,
The Lord be gracious, gracious unto you.
Amen.
Lyrics: Peter Christian Lutkin
Music: Peter Christian Lutkin
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Ali, you are an incredibly brave, genuinely kind, and overwhelmingly gracious person to share such a difficult time and story with us. Wishing you peace and happiness during this season and the difficult transition in your life. May you continue to find great strength and courage.
Thinking of you. <3
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never forget that while you focus on the positive and choose to live in joy, it is okay to be angry, sad and scared. one learns the most from those moments - painful though they are. just do not allow yourself to wallow in them, as i am sure that you will not. take care.
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(((((hugs!!)))))
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Sending you love and hugs Ali. You are such a brave person, and I admire you greatly for your strength and honesty. I know you will get through this difficult time, and wish you and your family all the best for Christmas, and the courage to face the challenges that the New Year will undoubtedly bring. Thank you for writing this post.
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Sending love and hugs.
Divorce sucks. Simple truth - it's awful.
I know you are a strong woman and you'll transition to this new life as best you can.
You are an inspiration, a joy and a shining heart in this world Ali.
Love Bek xxx
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Ali, I'm so very sorry. But it is evident through your blog that you are one very intelligent, strong woman; with emphasis on strong. You are all in my prayers.
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I come to you for the gift of inspiration and the courage to put myself and my story on paper; now, I send you my compassion and support.
I hope all of these comments from all of these people give you strength and courage when you need it, and act as a small gift, in return for all that you give us.
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I read this yesterday and didn't know what to say but you stayed on my mind. I still don't know what to say but I am a firm believer in things happening just the way God planned them to. This will bring all of you to the place where He wants you to be, though that doesn't make it any easier here and now. I will path for all of you as you navigate this new path ahead. And thank you for sharing, I have read your blog for years and really respect your grace in all the difficult things.
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i've been thru this myself recently, sending many prayers you way.
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I think you are stronger than what you believe yourself. It takes lots of courage to open up like you just did. I wish you peace this Christmas time, and in the future. Hugs to you!
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Dear Ali,
My thoughts of strenght and friendship are with you. I know that your kids will learn a lot from seeing their mom first taking good care of herself before anything else. I wish you all the care, rest, loving-kindness and friendship you need in the new year. Take good care of yourself first. They'll learn from that. Love.
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I found myself very suddenly separated on Christmas Eve 2008. A few days later, in the midst of complete grief, my girlfriend shared this quote:
"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly."
This is a new life stage, just like becoming a butterfly is a brand new stage. New life, very fragile, but beautiful.
My prayer is that you choose joy. I only started scrapbooking a year after my divorce, it is an amazing way to chart your new growth.
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