I was able to have a special moment yesterday with Ava. We were sitting together upstairs next to the computer. I initially asked her how she felt about the upcoming divorce. She jokingly said that she was fine with it and that it didn’t bother her. I then started to open up to her. While opening up to her, she opened up to us about an experience at school. She told me of an experience that she had in school in which one girl was being sexually active. The boyfriend in the relationship was being praised while she was being called a whore and a slut. Ava naturally and instinctively walked and talked with this girl down the hallway at the school noticing that the girl visibly looked dejected and outcasted. I let Ava know that she is a really good person and that she naturally is good. In the same way she has befriended her transgender friend, Cassie, she has befriended another outcast girl. This is what Christ was all about during his life mission and teachings. He always tried to get people to see beyond the do’s and do not list approach to life, but rather give people the reason why, so that the love comes from within. I gave her some examples of this, but me, just telling her how good of a person she truly is meant so much to her. She beautifully just lit up and was so proud to be complemented on how good of a person she naturally and truly is, and that it comes by her naturally to be good. I asked her to always stay close to God and her savior because Christ has always wanted to uplift, enlighten, and give people a reason to truly love those around them. When I shared with Ava, my feelings and emotions of the divorce, and how I expressed my love for her mom, she gave me a nice warm embrace for almost a minute. I told Ava we will always be a family, even though my role may be different. I will always be here for her as her father, and as a friend and someone to talk with whenever wanted or needed.
In addition to opening up a little to Ava yesterday, I’ve been able to talk to others about the upcoming divorce. I let all my siblings know. I had lunch with Dale and David in which I informed them. Darin already knew because we had talked about it previously at work. I went on a run with Don when he was here for the holidays. We talked about it while on the run. That was a good therapy session for me. I initially told Deanna and Deborah in a text message and then we talked over the phone. Nichole and I went together over to Ethan and Chani’s last Sunday. We were together for approximately half an hour expressing our feelings and emotions. Tears were shed. But, it seemed we were all in a good place realizing all will be ok.
