New Beginings

Six years ago my wife left.  She had got involved with some one else.  I was too busy trying to run a company and work 80 hour weeks to notice what was going on between us.  What followed was 18 months of legal wrangling, lawyers, accountants, valuations,court cases, stress, tears, frustration, despair, and most a all a huge sense of loss and failure.

From owning a huge house, boat, cars, and bikes.  I suddenly found myself with a $250000 debt.  I was as required by NZ law to pay her half the value of the company.  So I kept the company but lost everything else.  I rented a small 2 bedroom apartment, and spent the weekends that I didn't have my children feeling sorry for myself.  I wondered how I would ever recover.     But I also learnt a valuable lesson about myself.    

Four years ago I met some one new, the divorce was still very raw, and the financial stress I was under still very much existed.  Getting married again or even being committed to some one I made very clear was never going to happen.  I would never really commit to some one again.  Yes we could live together but my life was to remain separate in my own way.   Some of you will understand where I am coming from, others wont understand.  It is very hard to explain how emotionally draining and soul destroying a divorce is.

Fast forward to the present day, My partner and I brought a house today.  There was much soul searching for me to get to this point in our relationship.   It took a lot of faith to trust again. But I feel very proud that from the depths of financial ruin and emotional turmoil, and with the support of my partner we have arrived at this.  For me this is a huge mile stone.   I feel like the Phoenix rising from the ashes.  Life has taught me some hash lessons, many of them my own fault and I place the blame at no ones feet but my own.

But if you are reading this, raise your glass, or coffee cup, or diet coke...and have a drink with me..for tonight I am celebrating a new beginning....thanks...and cheers.