Family and Friends Forum

Upset mum

Member since
June 2020

2385 posts

Posted Fri November 25, 2022 5:58pmReport post

Not sure where I am going with this post but here goes

I look in the mirror and I see myself and I look at the woman and I ask myself who is she

She answers back it's you! The same person you were before this journey, I look closer I see the aging lines , I see a shadow of the woman I was , I see my blue eyes that are filled with tears, my heart beats but I am empty,

I look at my life now to what it was like before this, my eyes were blue, the lines were laughter lines , my heart was full , and yet a simple knock can take it all away in just a single moment

Every day since the 20th May 2020 a Thursday morning I got up ready for my day ahead at work, then the door bell rang (me why would a delivery driver be knocking so early 6.30 am) the dog was barking, I opened the door and my life changed and so did my Son the offender, so did my daughters life, he was taken away and then brought home at stupid o'clock he had a shower, we spoke, we cried, we hugged, he went to bed and for the first time since he was young I stayed with him, hugged him, stroked his hair as he finally fell asleep, I wept , I didn't sleep, he was unsettled and I told him it will be ok

Fast forward 16 months of hell, I was on suicide watch every day,

Me and his sister had to listen to him how he was going to commit suicide every day, then I worry about my daughters health

So many emotions and the wrinkles are worse:-)

Then the second knock (Can it get any worse) yep it can

He was taken away and didn't come home, remand, self harming, sleepless nights, for us all

But now my eyes are blue, occasionally filled with tears but my heart is not empty, why because he is still here, no longer self harming, we know what we have to face, he knows I am and will always be here as will his sister, and for the first time his older brother is coming for a visit

This journey is horrendous but each and everyone of us can get through this

There is no right or wrong just take a day at a time and you will get through it I promise xx

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2538 posts

Posted Fri November 25, 2022 6:34pmReport post

Post deleted by user


Edited Sun November 27, 2022 4:30am

Christmas Chaos

Member since
May 2022

131 posts

Posted Fri November 25, 2022 6:41pmReport post

This really hit home for me. Have teared up reading it. I look in the mirror and see the same person(a bit more tired and dull eyes)but everything has changed. It's still me but a shamed, betrayed, desperate and tired version. Sometimes I feel shame supporting my husband because I worry people feel like I don't understand the crime, or he's manipulating me or worse, I don't care about the crime. We had the knock a year ago and the night before the knock was the last time I laughed at anything. A real belly laugh. Feeling like not a care in the world sort of laugh. I had just started maternity leave. We were watching a movie with our tiny little baby, Christmas tree up in the living room, pjs on snuggled all cozy. I remember saying to my husband that I felt so happy and couldn't wait for our first Christmas a family. I kissed him and told him this was the start of our lives after bringing our baby home from hospital, not realising it was actually the end of our chapter. Now almost a year later I'm actually so grateful for that last night to know what peace and happiness feel like.

Bitterbean

Member since
December 2021

634 posts

Posted Fri November 25, 2022 6:52pmReport post

This thread has really moved me.

We have to remember that we are strong women, the implications of this type of crime are indeed terrible but we as partners, mums and family members recognise that not all Internet offenders are evil people, they are people who got sucked into something and in most cases would do anything to turn back the clock.

Recognising this fact does not make us bad or complicit, nor does supporting our loved ones. If anything we are unsung heroes, and I hope that one day we will be recognised as such.

Upset mum

Member since
June 2020

2385 posts

Posted Fri November 25, 2022 7:20pmReport post

We can secretly cry in to our pillows every night,

I'm not sure how i would cope with having yong children, for you mums of partners I am in awe of your strength

My heart aches, not because of the knock but because of how we have ended up here

The media reported my son as someone who he isn't,

He is not a bad person but he is someone who got lost in this situation, this nightmare, he along with me has to pay the price

But I hold my head high, I talk to people about this because if we can raise awareness that has to be good, no more hiding in shame xx

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2538 posts

Posted Fri November 25, 2022 7:37pmReport post

Post deleted by user


Edited Sun November 27, 2022 4:31am

Upset mum

Member since
June 2020

2385 posts

Posted Fri November 25, 2022 7:53pmReport post

Smile my dear friend x

Our sons are the ones who we brought in to the world

We do not condone what they have done

But we are here for them, why because a mothers love looks beyond their crime

We see them , we love them more than we love ourselves

Xx

Distressed and pregnant

Member since
November 2020

993 posts

Posted Fri November 25, 2022 8:26pmReport post

Hi Upset,

Such an impactful reflection. I particularly relate to the bit about your eyes. I've struggled in the past with losing my sparkle. My person helped me to find it again. The day of the knock it was extinguished again. I see glimmers of it returning now and I hope that one day it returns fully. We didn't choose this journey and it has opened my eyes to so much. The support and knowledge I've found on here has given me strength and I thank all of you for giving me glimmers of hope xxx

Upset mum

Member since
June 2020

2385 posts

Posted Fri November 25, 2022 8:37pmReport post

Distressed

Your sparkle will return, believe in yourself

It's no one's decision other than yours

Everyone can say what they want to but they don't walk in your shoes

Until they do no one can understand xx

Loulou22

Member since
October 2022

50 posts

Posted Sat November 26, 2022 12:32amReport post

Just sending love to you all. This is so so painful. xxx

Loulou22

Member since
October 2022

50 posts

Posted Sat November 26, 2022 12:32amReport post

Just sending love to you all. This is so so painful. xxx

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2538 posts

Posted Sat November 26, 2022 7:08amReport post

I've said it before, I'll say it again. You guys coping with a partner/husband and on top of that children on this journey, deserve the braveness medal here...... you are truly amazing.....

Edited Sat November 26, 2022 7:09am

SAL

Member since
December 2021

895 posts

Posted Sat November 26, 2022 8:02amReport post

This is so true.

I'm alive.

He's alive.

But the spring in my step, the lightness in me has gone. I don't think that will ever fully go. I often wonder if it would if I was to leave, but that isn't something I want to do.

I don't take the same enjoyment from many things I use to - They kind of seem a bit trivial now. But at the same time I'm so looking forward to the simplest of things in just over a years time - Eating dinner together, laying in bed chatting on the weekend, going for a walk together. The big aspirations and goals seem such a distant memory.

Upset mum

Member since
June 2020

2385 posts

Posted Sat November 26, 2022 10:53amReport post

Hi SAL

It's so good to have these small things to look forward to and he is very lucky to have you in his life

We do not by any means condone what they have done but you see him as the good person he is

The next year will go by quickly and you can then re build your life together, dinners, walks, lazy days just the 2 of you xx

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2538 posts

Posted Sun November 27, 2022 4:30amReport post

I don't think I will ever be the same again and my family dynamics have changed (been blasted apart). Being edged out the job I had at time, lost contact with many friends.

My sparkle is not the same, I'm more cautious and keep a lot inside - where in the past I'd easily spark up a conversation with anyone. I'm also quite nervous these days.

This journey has bought out some good changes though. I am less judgmental of people and more understanding. It's made me realise people can hide agony behind their smiles - like (at times) I do......

I don't bother and brush aside what I consider trivial concerns ie: don't fret about running low on milk for example :-)

I do feel sad and at times extremely angry I've/we've been plunged into this life change to be honest.....

Edited Sun November 27, 2022 4:40am