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It would be imprudent to write about the ongoing divorce proceedings until they are long behind us.  I will note my X2B's comment that my attorney sounds like my mother.  I replied that they should both take that as a compliment.   Been carrying two mortgages for over a year now.  The credit line I've been tapping for the payments can carry us for another six months.  With no sale pending on the PA home, I can't hold onto the Cali house.  The sign goes up on Sunday.   The neighbors will start to ask questions, and I'm not going to lie.  Pride is not my particular deadly sin (lust and gluttony, on the other hand...).   Speaking of questions, I had plenty over the past couple of years.  Lately the answers have been encouraging, on balance.  On the negative side, marital status, residential stablity, short term financial security, long term retirement plans, and reconciliation between families.  On the positive side: total independence, a brighter emotional future for my son, a return to music (didn't see that coming a year ago), job security, strengthening old friendships and encouraging new ones, plus a renewed and deeper relationship in Christ.   This last thing is very hard to write about without sounding smug.  This entire ordeal, when compared to Christ's suffering, has given me a deeper appreciation of His message of love for one's enemies.  Break from them, yes, but don't wish ill upon them.   The X has her moments where she tries to goad me into trading barbs and a year ago, I was a willing participant.  Lately, I envision my savior standing behind me, hand on my shoulder, when she launches into her cackling rants on my family name.  I can stand there, eyes closed, confident in the knowledge that deliverance is at hand.   Ah yes, deliverance.  The last two questions I had was when will this end and will I survive the ordeal?  I think these are shared concerns for everyone watching this from afar.  Thanks to the good men and women I've encountered both here and in real life, I can measure my progress and see the home stretch.  Frankly, survival was never in doubt, but let it stand as a marker to a new beginning.  I will not only survive this, you see.  I intent to thrive as a result of it. GDAD