I Left Because Somebody Had To

I left because we were all sick.

I accept responsibility for my part in our marriage coming undone. I feel that I always have- at least in a general way. Now, I am becoming self-aware of the specific ways I contributed to the dysfunctional patterns and toxic environment that would eventually make me feel like if I didn’t get out, I’d die.

Not that I would be physically harmed by my then-husband; please be clear. But that even if my body was still breathing in 10 more years, my spirit would not be.

When the kids asked me why I left, and why I couldn’t just come back, I explained it like this: