Unfortunately, that email was my ticket into a club made up of many women who have been left. While there are many men who have had their partner's walk out, the bulk of the leaving stories seem to include men leaving woman as the main plot. It is frustrating and infuriating and sad for everyone. To be in so much pain and have so much anger that no other way out can be seen. I am fortunate that I was immediately able to see that my partner leaving me was not about me, in this case. I did not pick it up as my own. He was in so much pain. But he was brave enough to do something to fix the pain, and I was strong enough to weather the burden his leaving caused. I remember feeling grateful that he only left instead of killing himself, because this way he was still on this planet with me and with my boys. He took time away to heal and work on himself, and that gave me time to heal and work on myself. We were both able to grow and change, and we are back together now to raise our children. Nothing in this life is guaranteed but death. This experience has truly helped me see the gift of understanding impermanence so that I live more fully in the present. I am grateful for your friendship 🌱