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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Two years since my world fell apart

10 replies

ProudFriend · 04/02/2026 13:29

It’s coming up to 2 years since I last spoke to my late husband. I’ve posted here with a couple of user names about our separation, police stuff, alcohol and his subsequent suicide. It’s been a journey. I dreamt about him last night, I think it was the first calm dream where I felt I was talking to the person I had loved, and that seems like a transition – although I don’t really want him in my dreams as it is always unsettling when I wake up.
I miss him every day, and I don’t know if it is the universe speaking to me, but last week I was in a cathedral and wanted to go and light a candle for him, there was a lot going on, and I found a quiet corner with a candle stand, and right by it was a text a friend had used when speaking at his funeral. I know logically it was a coincidence, but significant.
I also don’t miss the person he was in our last years together, and I know if he were still alive life would be a nightmare, alcoholism does not go away, and he was not a happy drunk, it had got to the point that he was borderline psychotic and I was not safe physically or emotionally, so I do really know that I am better off now, however much it makes me sad to say that.
I think about some of the things going on in my life now, both good and bad, and know that it is so much less stressful now than it would have been when he was there, as he hated me doing anything that wasn’t focused around him.
So I am not sure what the purpose is of me posting this, other than seeing my progression of feelings over these two years, and hoping when I look back on this in a few month’s time I will feel that I have made progress, and to say to others who maybe have life with an alcoholic, or someone who displays coercive control there is a path through the horror.

I find posting here and in other places very beneficial so thank you for listening.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 04/02/2026 13:41

I’m fairly sure I remember your previous posts.

You were dealt a very rough had to come to terms with. So much grief to process. Each part is very tough let alone 3 of them.

Recovery isn’t linear, be so very kind to yourself 💐

Daleksatemyshed · 04/02/2026 14:56

It's sad that you still miss him everyday Op but it sounds like you've turned a corner in your mourning, you're now far enough on to remember the man you met and fell in love with, not the terribly damaged man he became. I wish you peace and hope @ProudFriend

1983Louise · 04/02/2026 15:07

Your missing the man you fell in love with, that's bound to happen and would be strange if you didn't. Hopefully your grief will get softer now for you, big hugs x

Velvetgoldmine · 04/02/2026 21:56

Grief is overwhelming and doesn't seem to be linear so it is totally understandable that you are grieving who he was when you loved him most. You seem strong and sensible in that you have a clear view of the truth of it all, but also a good recognition of the sadness. I hope you continue to heal from it all and can be kind to yourself going forward, and I wish you strength. I found your post helpful so I am glad you posted here.

ProudFriend · 06/02/2026 10:51

Thank you all for your comments - they are much appreciated. Grief definitely comes and goes, and was not helped last week by having to go to a funeral at the same place my husband's was held. I was however expecting that to be hard so it passed. I am feeling more serene now.

OP posts:
ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 06/02/2026 11:25

I think I remember you too, your courage, pragmatism and sense.

He sounded a complex man woth both good and difficult - impossible sides. I hope as time passes the intensity of the waves of grief and complex feelings lessen Flowers

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 06/02/2026 11:28

A dear friend lost her mother recently and I sent her this. Perhaps with your ex husband, it will apply to the distilled best of him too.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on the snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there; I did not die.

ProudFriend · 06/02/2026 12:02

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 06/02/2026 11:28

A dear friend lost her mother recently and I sent her this. Perhaps with your ex husband, it will apply to the distilled best of him too.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on the snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there; I did not die.

Thank you - that is beautiful.

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 06/02/2026 12:11

@ReleaseTheDucksOfWar that made me cry, incredibly beautiful . OP - I’ve learnt in life it’s possible to still love and care about someone who wasn’t good to/ for you and I think it’s the traumatic finality here that heightens your feelings - I still dream about my ex husband who I left 35 years ago, no logical reason whatsoever he’s in dreams a lot - but he is. Whereas I’ve been remarried 30 years and rarely does my H feature in dreams .

ReleaseTheDucksOfWar · 07/02/2026 00:39

Im glad if the poem brought something to you both. It is by Clare Harner.

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