Things I never wanted to do in life

United States
March 5, 2012 10:25am CST
seem to be what has made it more beautiful. For instance, when I was young, I never wanted to have a mother-in-law who pretty much hated me. Yet, I found the things she criticized made me intent on proving her wrong. I learned so much from a woman who tried to be as nasty as possible. The main thing was not to be like her. I never wanted a child with disabilities, but almost ten years into our marriage, we had a beautiful girl, born with Down's syndrome. She has been a blazing light in our lives. She teaches patience, love, courage, and that bias seems to abound in 'normal' people, but has no place in hers. With her dad ill, she has been my mainstay in caring for him every day. I never wanted our son to date someone he met on the Internet. He went against my wishes and married the most wonderful woman he could ever have found. They have enough differences and enough likenesses to make their lives beautiful. I never wanted my husband to say he was too tired to live, but with his illness, every second of our marriage that is left is even more special than our other forty-three years. We know we no longer have forever. We kiss, we touch, we laugh, we hold each other tight and we share as much love as is possible these last days. I never wanted my brother-in-law to threaten to kill my sister. He did and she fled to us in another state for help. For a year, I got to know my sister again, and to relish our moments before her husband finally took medication for bipolar personality. She is back home, happy again. I never wanted to lose our boat dealership. Had we not, my husband would have died years ago because the new business kept him from seeing a doctor. Have there been things in your life you never wanted, but proved to be blessings?
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14 responses
@dazzledlady (1618)
• Philippines
5 Mar 12
I have not looked into my life deeply to mention the trials in my life that become more of a blessing. I think I have not half way of living this life I have. I am truly inspired of the positiveness you have. With every trials you experience you never backed down and make it a hindrance to grow. I admire you for being a strong woman and will be forever glad for sharing your story with us. I will always remember that in every rain there will always be a rainbow if we dont let the rain drown us.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Mar 12
The key here is to look up to God and forward to the future and not dwell on looking down or back at the past. What is past is gone and cannot be changed, but we can learn lessons from every day we live. Hugs, Maggie
• Pamplona, Spain
21 Mar 12
Hiya maggie, Such a lot has happened to you I don´t want to write about mine as I really would not know whether they are blessings or something else I just got through them. It is lovely the way you write all this. Well some of mine are blessings like everyone else and some are really not at all. We have stayed together in spite of all the predictions they made against us that is one blessing for me at least. By the way People do meet on the Internet I understand your feelings about that but it does turn out very well a lot of times and I am so glad it did for him.xxx
• United States
21 Mar 12
My son meeting his wife on the Internet was a true blessing. She is a wonderful woman, who cares deeply about him and the family she married into. We are so fortunate to have her. I think everything is a blessing, but it takes a lot of looking sometimes to find those silver linings among the thunderheads. Thank you so much for joining the conversation. Hugs, Maggie
1 person likes this
• Pamplona, Spain
22 Mar 12
Hiya maggie, This Morning is not exactly what I would call blessings but still I am trying to find the funny side to it. Have you ever had to hear "McIntyres Lament" lol well that is what somebody is trying to play to me right now in other words they are moaning away and expecting me to listen all Day to it which I am not lol. If I protest they do not listen most of the time. Blessings are very hard to find sometimes but they are there yes it depends on having a better attitude towards things in life. You are a wonderful writer Maggie love the way you tell things like sid and opal and hollyjean and not forgetting Hatley. Sorry if I have left anyone out.xxx
• Pamplona, Spain
22 Mar 12
Me again, Sorry I forgot to mention your Son´s Wife is´nt it wonderful when that happens it proves that all the no no People can be so wrong but then who can be so right. Life is indeed like a Lottery don´t you think. Glad to hear that she fits in so well with you all I love Stories like this compared to all the disheartening things you can see and hear around you.xxx
@larish (2191)
• Philippines
6 Mar 12
I never wanted to have a job in sales but now I am engage in selling life insurance here in my country. And I am happy that I am doing well in this profession. Honestly, a blessings in disguise are true. We just have to live with it.
• United States
6 Mar 12
Ah, larish, it seems you have found a calling you had least expected. I, too, got into sales - real estate - and was shocked to discover I was good at it. Throughout my whole life, I had been so shy and awkward, selling anything seemed an impossible task. Within my first ten months, I sold a million dollars worth of property, with the most expensive being 125,000. Most were $60,000 and under. May all go well with you in your new job. Hugs, Maggie
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@larish (2191)
• Philippines
7 Mar 12
You were absolutely right,Maggie
@laken02 (3065)
• United States
7 Mar 12
spring flowers - a new beginning
well this is a great conversation, and i am so sorry about your husband and the things that have happend to you in your life, it makes me sad to think, that while you and your husband may not have much time left together becasue of his illness me and my healthy husband are argueing and he just told me he no longer loves me. that is sad.. i still do love him, however if he is not in love with me then i have to move on, so i told him i was gonna find someone else, after he told me he wants a divorce.. and i am in the process of talking to a wonderful guy i have met online, we are just talking for now until after the divorce, he seems likea great guy.. but im still leary about meeting guys on the internet.. we will see.. i would have never even looked at snother guy ,if my husband had wanted to stay. but life is too short to waste it on someone who does not love or appreicate you. take care of you little girl she is precious as she is.. and as for your sister i have bi piolar as well.. so i know what she is going thru is not easy.. because of it i have lost alot. my first husband, my 2nd husband , my family my mo is angry at me now becasue in a bi polar mania stage i yelled and cussed her which i dont do when im in my right mind.. i have a court date coming up the 20th.. where once again when in mania i got mad at a male nurse at the hospitsl and he got up in my face yelling at me and i slapped him.. so i have charges on that.. so right now i am on a new medication and i seem to be doing well on it.. it is called sequeral extended relief.. and it is the best medication i have ever been on.. but it is very expensive.. even with my good insurance.. but my husband now has not been a very good husband as far as providing for me and keeping a roof over my head and feeding me good. that is about all he does, he is a very negative person, and tells me negative stuff every day i have been praying to god about the situation to stsy or to go, so i think him wanting me to elave was a blessing, he was a horrible husband and we were not happy together and we have agreed to be friends.. so we will make much better freinds.. the sad thing was that if he had not wanted to leave no matter how miserable i was i would have never left him.. so im ok with it im slowly putting my life back together stsying on my medication and lookig forward to a new bright future.. wish me luck...
• United States
7 Mar 12
Dear Lakeno2, I wish you joy in your new life, especially since you now a much better medication. Maybe with its help, things will turn around for you. Bipolar is a terrible thing to have. My brother-in-law was always a big teddy bear. When he started acting odd, Sis had no idea what was happening. No one had told her that in her husband's family, all five children and the mother had bipolar disorder until he had threatened her life and brought in a pitbull that had already been accused of killing farm animals. The dog mangled her little Boston terrier and that night, she ran, because it seemed odd that the dog kept slipping out of a heavy chain without help. Take care of yourself and the best of luck in your new future. Hugs, Maggie
@Metatronik (6199)
• Pasay, Philippines
6 Mar 12
As of the moment I can't determine yet. But then there are things that I don't like to be happened when my boyfriend wasn't able to defend me against his friends. He got mad at me like hell and he forced me to be humble with his friends. But you know with my humility I did, his friends were over flattered to the point that they are bragging too much about themselves. They tend to abuse my humility. So for now I became more strict to my boyfriend and I already put my limitations to him. He tends to follow all the things that I want especially his relationship with his friends. He is willing to sacrifice all the things that I am saying about him of what he is lacking especially the failures of his friends he is now acknowledging it. I just like it when he gave me an assurance that he will no longer meet his friends but the only thing I did't give a condition is that he will have to choose between us if it is me or his friends.
• United States
6 Mar 12
Hi Metatronik, I don't know what country you may be from, but here my husband would never take his friends abuse of me. He would toss them out until they learned manners. In our time together, we have stood up for each other against any and everyone. We compliment our mate to others, but never denigrate them. True love means having respect for your partner, trust in your partner, and the willingness to stay by their side through all that can happen in this life. It's always been beautiful being the wife of such a strong, intelligent, generous, loving man. I have done my best to make his life as wonderful as he has made mine. If your boyfriend ever makes you be so humbled in front of anyone that they make fun of you, please get rid of him. He will be much worse should you marry. Hugs, Maggie
@emilytd18 (114)
• Philippines
6 Mar 12
Thanks a LOT for sharing Maggie! The way you look at the things that are happening to your life is really a great inspiration. I never wanted to be in a long distance relationship because I know that it's a very tough thing to do and that my trust to my partner will be greatly tested. And now, I am currently in a long distance relationship with a great guy. He's not just my boyfriend but he's my best friend too. We fight a lot of course, and it's all because we are far apart and there are some things that get out of our hands and somehow it affects our time together, but despite of all those things, our love just keeps growing stronger and I miss him more everyday. Looking forward to seeing him again, it will only be days to go and he will be here. Looking forward on that day..:)
• United States
6 Mar 12
Congratulations, emilytd10! It looks like you've found the perfect man for you. Long distance relationships can be extremely hard to get through. When my husband and I decided to move to Florida from Maryland, I went ahead with the understanding that he would join us in a couple of months. He had put in for an early out from the government. Wouldn't you know, they would not let him retire because they had no one trained to do his job. It took three years for him to catch up with us. During that time, we visited back and forth and made each meeting special. He said he never knew what surprise awaited him when he came down. One time I went from brunette to blond; another he was the proud owner of a Scottish terrier - love at first sight for both of them. Another time, I went Western in clothing and house decor. When I went to see him, he always had special places lined up for us to visit - a special restaurant or theater show. Keep it special, keep it about the two of you and take your problems to each other - not everyone else! Good luck. Hugs, Maggie
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
5 Mar 12
I am still trying not to cry at your beautiful post! I never wanted to be a person who caused others any kind of pain. I always wanted to be a loving giving person. That comes from my horrible childhood. I never wanted a BROTHER that abused me sexually and physically. I had hoped for a loving caring brother who loved and protected me. Instead I got one that was a terror. I never thought I would even consider remarrying. Then Bill came along and erased all those thoughts. I never believed that I could feel such strong emotions for a family I have never met in person. I feel as though I am a part of their family and am frustrated at not being there to help them at such a needful time in their lives. Losing a person who you love with all your heart is never easy, and there is no way to express my feelings and desires to help the family out. I know how the husband is feeling about being tired of being in pain all the time and tired of being ill. I wish I could take his place so that his wonderful wife could have him with her forever. I never thought that I was so soft hearted that I could cry so easily at the plight of others. I can't say that everything that happened in my life proved to be a blessing, but I did learn from them and some of them have made me a much stronger person.
• United States
5 Mar 12
You are strong, kind, loving and generous - none of that seems to come from your childhood or first marriage. I'm so glad you met Bill; I just hope he deserves you. It seems he has made you truly happy and, for that, I like him already. Hugs, Maggie
@MandaLee (3756)
• United States
5 Mar 12
Sometimes the things we don't want are God's most beautiful blessings. Have a terrific day!
• United States
5 Mar 12
Hi MandaLee, good to see you checking in. Yes, there are blessings everywhere, but sometimes we have to pick up the heavy rocks of life to find them. Too often, we look at those rocks and say 'nothing good could come of this' and turn our backs. That's when we lose our sweetest blessings. Hugs, Maggie
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
5 Mar 12
Hi mysticmaggie Great discussion. Whether we like it or not, we stand no where when it comes to nature, destiny and wishes of Almighty. I had never thought I would be ill - when it happened, I was shocked and depressed. Over time, I started appreciating the positivity behind the illness. Today I am unemployed, confined to home and have loved this phase too. I am able to do things which I always wanted to do but never did them - sometimes it was the professional world or the busy schedules on others. Today, I can play in the rain, spend time with my little orphan friends, share some time with the older people at old age homes and hey, I love these. I couldnt do these earlier. It is not out of frustration of my illness or any other reason that I am in love with this situation of mine, I am loving this phase because in its course, I have really started to love my life, love myself much more than I could ever when I was normal.
• United States
5 Mar 12
Hi thesids, you have obviously tried to get the best out of a not so good situation. It wonderful to hear that you are looking at being able to do more of the things you want to do instead of the things you have to do. You are impressive, my friend. Hugs, Maggie
• Philippines
5 Mar 12
Yes, there is. I really don't like to have a son, yet I ended to have a son. I don't like to teach because teaching is not my forte, but I realize it might be my calling. There are still some things that I never wanted but it came just to prove me wrong.
• United States
5 Mar 12
Hi craziestqueenever. By the way, have I said I love your name - it's light and cheerful. Quite often, things come into our lives, things we never planned for, things we just knew we wouldn't like and, right in the middle of everything, we discover how wrong we were and how happy we are. Hugs, Maggie
• Valdosta, Georgia
5 Mar 12
You have made me look at things differently. So thank you! I never wanted my husband to get hurt at work but we have had so much more time to spend together and he has found the Lord again from it. I didn't want to leave my parents house quite when we did but its so much more peaceful staying in the motel. I never wanted to lose some of my family to quarrels but I have learned to lean more on God and my husband. Thank you for this discussion!
• United States
5 Mar 12
Thank you, LovingMyBabies. You have learned that the best isn't always apparent, but if we keep looking real hard, we find something good in almost everything that happens. Hugs, Maggie
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
5 Mar 12
There is nothing I never really wanted, although there were things I never expected. Like getting older, I always tried to survive my abusive parents, my ex husband. But just like you I feel rich. My life was never easy and still it is not but I know I am strong, a survivor and I saw my kids grow up to great, creative personalities. Your story really touched my heart, thanks for sharing!
• United States
5 Mar 12
Kudos right back to you WakeupKitty. You are what life is about. Facing the bad, making the good, and recognizing that you get one chance in this life, so move ahead. Well done. Hugs, Maggie
• Canada
5 Mar 12
It sounds like you have turned any negative in your life that has come your way into a definate positive experience. Thats commmendable, you sound like you have a happy home life, a beautiful family and a marriage that these days is unheard of. Congratulations you are an inspiration.
• United States
5 Mar 12
We have been truly blessed with the lives we've lived. I wish everyone could live through what we have and come out on top. Hugs, Maggie
@Zh_Kosta (49)
• Bulgaria
5 Mar 12
I do not want to see my boyfriend with another girl. It was a several weeks ago, when he told me that he had an afair with another girl. He said that it was nothing, but it hurts me very deeply. So I do not want to think about that, but I just can stop .... it hurts so much!!!
• United States
5 Mar 12
Maybe this is your blessing in disguise. Get rid of this creep and find a decent fellow to love. If he cheats once, he will do it again. Why wait around to be hurt over and over. Hugs, Maggie