The respect of a good friend.

I am just writing this as I need a place to put my thoughts rather than needing advice (but, feedback is always welcome, good or bad), and this forum is a safer haven than other places on the WWW for me. As I am venturing out in the world of dating after 8 years of commitment, I am astonished and taken back from what I have encountered thus far. Players that see me as fresh meat, other divorcees that are still tangled up in their own mess. It is discouraging to say the least. But, my mind keeps wandering back to "G" (as we'll refer to him). G and I have known each other for years through another mutual friend, and in another lifetime, we may have been soul mates. We trusted each other since the day we met, have always been open with each other and always had mutual respect for each other while enjoying good banter and mutual interests. But, he is also just as much as a spitfire as I am, and we can butt heads - because we're too much alike. G lived in my home state 600 miles away. G was emotionally there for me when things hit the fan with my STBXH. He and I had only been talking occasionally to check in with each other at the time, as good long distance friends do, but he was there for me every day when I told him we were separating. G met me as I rolled into my hometown to help me unload my moving truck, no questions asked, he was just there. Once I was here, though, we both backed off and went back to the occasionally check in with each other. He was involved with the girl he wanted to marry, and I respected that. Fast forward 6 months, G and I have been on the outs due to his personal life and how that has affected his relationships. He has been in therapy to face his own demons (he was molested as a child, among other things, sorting himself out), his relationship is over and he has been facing some hard truths about his own family. He knows I am here for him, but he made the decision to shut me out and deal with his issues alone. Life moves on, and if he is as good of a friend to me that I have known him to be, it'll work itself out in due time. I checked in on him yesterday as he announced on FB he had gotten into an accident, and it wasn't an April Fool's prank. We talked, caught up, it was short and sweet. The farewell is what I keep getting stuck on. Me: "Alright, until next time, best to you." G: "Same to you. We will meet again." Me: "I hope that is a promise." G: "yes." As I reflect on it this morning, I realize how much I miss having him in my life. But, I can't deny how much I respect that he is taking the time to fix himself, and while it is forcing distance between us, giving me the space to work through my own emotions. I realized today that he is the only one that knows my story, history and inner feelings of all my friends and family; he probably knew me second best after my STBXH. I am so sad that I don't have him to lean on right now, but I know it is for the better of us both. I just hate having to wait it out.

Put the internet to work for you. via Personal Recipe 2629979