August 2000

*August 14, 2000*

Well, well. A landmark day for this family. The court case, is at last, over!!!!! Without mentioning any names I am now able to talk more freely about the case.

My soon-to-be-ex-husband was sentenced today a one year jail term to be followed by a three year probation period for molesting his daughter. This case has been a nightmare for us from the beginning.

My daughter was absolutely amzing , showing strength, conviction and courage throughout it all. She was able, even at her young age, to testify against him in court and stared him in the face the entire time she told the story. It is a terrible thing to have your child come home from a weekend visit and tell a tale, sick enough, to make your stomach turn. It's worse still, when the culprit is the child's own Father. After all, how could the man who helped bring her into this world do something so very horrible to her?

My emotions at this point are so very mixed I feel like a martini..in more ways than one. A part of me still wishes it had been one big mistake and that he was innocent of these crimes. Another part of me is glad that he has been brought to justice.

I was with this man for over nine years, and yes, the warning signs have always been there. I cannot imagine how I managed to ignore them, or justify them, yet I know I did. When I finally got tired of his antics, bizarre sexual requests, mistresses and temper tantrums I left him. My thoughts race in wondering .... what would have happened if I had stayed?

However, all those questions aside, now begins a time of healing for this family. My divorce is now forthcoming, my current love is moving in very soon and it looks like I might have found a good paying job (crosses fingers). When it rains it pours, when it shines it blinds.