{"id":473,"date":"2015-02-25T18:36:44","date_gmt":"2015-02-25T18:36:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/howgreatthoupart\/?p=473"},"modified":"2015-02-25T18:36:44","modified_gmt":"2015-02-25T18:36:44","slug":"some-of-the-bravest-women-i-know-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/howgreatthoupart\/2015\/02\/some-of-the-bravest-women-i-know-2.html","title":{"rendered":"Some of the Bravest Women I Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

I swing open the door of the local coffee shop. I cross the threshold and spy two friends. I stop and chat with them for a moment. They are aware of my marital struggles. What can I say? The writer in me has for lack of a better term always made my life an open book. <\/p>\n

These are two of the kindest women I know. They are warm and uplifting. <\/p>\n

“Don’t worry,” they tell me. “You can be a part of our club.”<\/p>\n

I thank them, order my coffee and head out for the day. <\/p>\n

This was five years ago.<\/p>\n

What I didn’t tell them that day was what I was really thinking. I didn’t want to be a part of their club. I wanted to stay married. I did not want to be divorced. No, it’s not because of divorce snobbery. My mom was a single parent and I could not have been prouder of her. I just did not want this to be our love story, our family’s less than fairytale ending.<\/p>\n

Divorce is not for the faint of heart. It involves ugly stuff like tears and fear. <\/p>\n

It is heartbreaking, stressful, lonely, and unpredictable. It is meltdowns, weight gain, weight loss, sleepless and panicked. In addition, in many cases it is spouses behaving badly and games that involve fat cats playing with a mouse.<\/p>\n

Some of the kindest, most caring and loving individuals I know have endured this frightening and painful journey.<\/p>\n

I’ll be honest. I didn’t think I was brave enough or strong enough or resilient enough for divorce. It’s a small part of what kept me there for so long.<\/p>\n

This morning I cross the threshold of the coffee shop and I spy one of the women. <\/p>\n

She is brave, strong and resilient. I am so proud to be a part of her club.<\/p>\n

\"how-great-thou-part-3\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Follow me on Facebook @Colleen Sheehy Orme
\non Twitter @colleenorme
\non Pinterest @colleensheehyorme
\nE-mail: Colleen.Sheehy.Orme@gmail.com
\nwww.colleensheehyorme.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I swing open the door of the local coffee shop. I cross the threshold and spy two friends. I stop and chat with them for a moment. They are aware of my marital struggles. What can I say? 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