Surviving Life's Storm

I feel like everything I've done up to this point, everything I've endured and everything I've gone without, has been for the greater good.  I didn't want to tarnish the memory of my in-laws and their surviving family.  Who needs that news spread all across social media?!  I didn't want to have to answer any prying questions, let alone accept my part in the failed marriage and the resulting catastrophe.  But, mostly, I hate confrontation.  I've let things slide.  I have valid excuses too, of course, like how I'm so busy working all the time and I can't afford a lawyer, etc., but mostly they're just excuses. And I'm about to suffer financially for it. When I left the house, I left all the financial responsibility in the hands of my not-quite ex.  He had been paying the mortgage already, so I left it for him to continue paying.  I saw a lawyer who would not take me on because she knew it would bankrupt me and I left it be. ...

After my mother-in-law passed away, I saw my father-in-law for the first time in a year and he was beside himself with grief. And remorse.  He knew what I had been through last year and he felt guilty.  He felt like he had personally contributed to my hell because he loved his son and gave him financial support, only to realize too late that the money wasn't going towards paying the mortgage.  And as much as he loved his son, he loved his grandsons more and kept pleading with me to keep them safe and not leave them alone with his son.  I've kept my promise, Tony. Rest in peace.