Friends

Everything Changes

by

Matthew T. Lipson

1.4 Friends

I don't have many friends, but I am rich in those I do have.  Those supported me in ways that still amaze and humble me.  All I had to do was call them.  They listened to my tail of woe, supplied a place for me to stay, helped me pack up my belongings.  They were there.  One lived on the opposite coast and would listen to me till our cell phone batteries ran out.  Another, who taught me the pleasure of cycling, let me take over his bedroom for a couple of months, as I started to enter into the deepest part of my depression.  He even put up with my children living there a few days a week.  A third, whom I worked with, watched me lose weight with increasing rapidity, as I lived on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, carrots, and granola bars.  Another, who was going through the same thing, helped me find a Divorce Recovery group instrumental in the beginning of my healing process.  They say you don't know your true friends till you're in crisis.  I found this to be true.

The Decision

Everything Changes

by

Matthew T. Lipson

1.3 The Decision

The week had been ... awful.  Monday was her fortieth birthday, and the night of our worst argument.  The details, which are forever imprinted in my brain, are unimportant except the fact our eldest, who was seven, was in the room.  I exploded, as I had finally come to the end of my rope.  This scared my wife, and, once I came to my senses, me too.  We had come to an important crossroads, which could lead us either to heal our marriage or divorce.  The Multiple Sclerosis could no longer be a consideration, or even financial repercussions.  What was our relationship doing to our children?  to me?  By the end of the week, my anxiety attacks, depression, irrational anger had to be addressed.  I had to leave.  Friday, on my way home, I arranged to stay at a friend's house.   When she asked me when I was coming back, I answered, "I'm not."