William Quincy Belle: My Divorce: 14 years later

This year, I crossed a milestone: I've now been divorced longer than I was married.

I started this blog in 2010 and wrote about my divorce among other things. However, my blogging slowly petered out for other things in life. But lately, a fellow blogger, also divorced, wrote on Facebook about her parents and how they managed to stay together over the years despite the obstacles. The tone of her posting was one of admiration and what I interpreted as regrets about her failed marriage.

I commented by telling a story. My father was one of three boys, all born around 1920. Each of those men married and stayed married until death. Collectively, they had seven children, all born around 1950. Each of those seven children are divorced. Four remarried and have stayed married, one has been living with the same person for over twelve years, one lived for over ten years with a partner and is in the process of breaking up, and I remain single. I mention all this as the comparison between the first half of the 20th century and the second half.

It would seem social mores have changed. Divorce is more acceptable. But this question could be asked: Are people more prone to give up than to stick with it? For the longest time, the divorce rate was considered 50%. However, in re-reading several expert articles, it would seem that rate has always been lower and quite variable across groups based on education, income, and ethnicity.

But the above Facebook posting made me reflect on my own situation. I'm sure anyone would say the end of something is not good, and divorce being the end of a marriage is not good. But as the hackneyed expression goes, for every door that closes...

It has been so long since my divorce, I can't say I really think about it. When I do think about it, it seems more like a dream, more of a distant memory than something I regret or even miss. My ex-wife and her children, my ex-stepchildren, decided to break all contact with me, and I've respected their decision. Consequently, none of us have to have any reminders of yesterday and can focus on today and tomorrow.

In reflecting on writing this article, it occurred to me that things have happened that never would have happened had I stayed married. That unto itself is regrettable, I suppose. I also suppose that after all this time, this might be an opportunity to expound on my marriage and divorce. However, I'm going to remain faithful to a promise I made at the start of my divorce proceedings: I would never talk about my ex-wife with anybody other than my lawyer and my therapist. Not a single member of my family or my circle of friends has any idea of the details of our break-up. I never wanted to say anything negative about her or risk having anything I said interpreted in a negative light. At one time, I proposed to my wife because she was a wonderful woman. Just because we got a divorce doesn't mean she suddenly stopped being wonderful.

I think it was year eight of my divorce that I had a revelation. If the opportunity ever presented itself, I would want to say or write the following.

Dear Exxxxx,

I want to say two things to you.

Number one: I'm sorry.

I had a personal crisis, and I didn't handle it well. You became collateral damage, and I hurt you. I deeply regret that.

Number two: Thank you.

Because of you, I experienced many things in life I never would have experienced if I had not married you. Being part of a family, setting up a family home, downhill skiing, family vacations, trips to foreign lands, the list goes on and on. You enriched my life, and I thank you for that.

I will end by saying to you what I wrote to your daughters at the end of the divorce proceedings:

I hope you are happy, successful, and end up at peace with yourself and the rest of the world.

Sincerely,
Jxxxxx

I have no idea if I will ever get a chance to say that to my ex-wife. I don't even know if it would be a good idea. However, I did get partial satisfaction. D and his wife introduced me to my ex-wife and were probably surprised if not stunned at our divorce. Since then, D, whom I've known since high school, and I have lunch every year or two, and one of the last times, I recounted to him the above letter. He knows my feelings. Has he ever said anything to my ex? I don't know, but it's probably a topic he would prefer to avoid. Nevertheless, he knows. He may say something. And if I ever drop dead, he may pass on that last message. I'm not mad; I wish my ex the best.

But let me be clear about something. If I could wave a magic wand and go back, I wouldn't.

The person who was right for you at one point in your life, may not be the right person at another point.

I realise now there was nothing my ex-wife and I could have done to have prevented our divorce. I've also come to realise we are, at least I am, better off divorced and single again. I know some may find that a strange thing to say, considering the nostalgia one may have for the past, but I think it's the best option for me. And now, I wouldn't want it any other way.

Final Word
It's over. It's unfortunate, but it's over. But oddly enough, I think it's for the best for both of us. Clear the table, close the door, get a fresh start, and off to new adventures. That still may not be convincing so I'll add this. Since my divorce, I've had a growing number of health issues. Now considering age, somebody could put forward that anybody with age has issues. However, the blessing for my ex-wife is that she doesn't have to deal with those issues. The blessing for me is that I no longer have to continue as if nothing's wrong. It's really a win-win for both of us.

I will never get married again. I suppose this is where one says once was enough, or once bitten twice shy, or some other platitude, but the reality is that I've enjoyed these past years living alone. I'm alone but I'm not lonely. I'm free to do anything I want. I could jokingly add that this is the height of self-centeredness as every day is about me. Ha!

I'm not in a relationship as I've never dated. Considering my health issues, I would say that is good for me and good for any possible partner. Nobody wants to take on the task of taking care of somebody.

Where do I go from here? As I just said, I'm free to do anything I want. I have an opportunity. The question is just what am I going to do with that opportunity?

References

Is the 50% Divorce Rate a Myth? by Goldberg Jones, Jan 18/2022
One statistic tossed around frequently is that 50% of all marriages end in divorce. The number varies a bit, but the gist is that roughly half of weddings have a corresponding divorce waiting. As ubiquitous as this figure is, many just accept it as fact. But is the legend of the 50% divorce rate real or a myth?

So, has the divorce rate ever been 50%? Nope. Never was. Despite the fact that many hold this wisdom as truth, experts have debunked this figure multiple times over the years.