Wednesday, July 22, 2015

We've Come Full Circle


Not long ago I had to make a somewhat emergency drive to Kentucky after my former spouse put her hands on our daughter in a drunken rage. She was later arrested and jailed for the remainder of that day. The following day I spoke with several officers about her and the arrest. After getting back home I emailed her and told her in light of recent events I feel it was best if my sons moved with me. I offered her a peaceful solution to which, true to form it was not received well.

                I contacted my Attorney and had her file a motion seeking physical custody of our sons. I contacted her again asking to do it without court and peacefully which it would all be settled prior to Madison’s graduation the end of May. But naturally, that wasn’t going to happen. So a court date was set for 10 July. I drove up on the 9th and the next day we were walking down the side walk into court when I got a call from my attorney telling me that my former spouse had called and said she was in the ER in Bowling Green. So there would be no court and I’d have to drive back to Georgia with nothing resolved. A new date of the 17th of July was given and I’d have to drive back up once again hoping she would show up. I don’t believe she knew I was coming but I did. And around 0920 we finally went into the court room. I hadn’t been in there since June of 2011.

                My Attorney informed the judge of the motion and that I was simply seeking physical custody since the boys were both teenagers and desired to live with me. The judge was pleasant and simply told Jennifer that teenage boys typically need their fathers during those years and that it wasn’t personal. So that was that. He ruled that I was to be the physical custodian and my goal and promise to my kids of not pointing fingers and bring up all the dirt was met.

                So Things have come full circle for me and my life. I will continue to operate as I have since 2009 when all this started. I will take my family to counseling so that my kids can talk through whatever anger and feelings they have had inside of them since this all started. This will also give them a safe environment to ask questions and seek answers and acknowledgement of actions that have taken place between their mother and I over the past 6 years. So again, I will assist them in moving forward and the healing process by doing what they need and putting those needs at the forefront. It feels good to go to the gym with them and workout. It’s nice having my son helping me mow the lawn or take the garbage to the curb. My son has a job which I’m super proud of him and what he’s doing for himself. Madison starts college in the fall and she is super excited. They are all well and have adjusted to their new lives here in Georgia.

                What I have learned from all this is doing the right thing, maintaining the moral high ground and putting the needs of others no matter how uncomfortable it maybe or unhealthy you have to allow things to play out  because with patience and perseverance…you can succeed.