Although my husband left me almost three years ago, I was only officially divorced exactly one year ago today – March 6th, 2017.  One of the saddest days of my life.

In many ways, I feel the end of our marriage was the biggest failure of my life and for so long the pain was excruciating, both physically and emotionally.

I remember people who’d been through the same thing assuring me that things would get better, but in the midst of that agony I couldn’t see light at the end of the tunnel.

If you’re in the early stages of this process, I want to let you know that they were right. It does get better.  I know it might not feel like it right now, and you may still have many dark days ahead of you, but it will get better.  You will become stronger.  You will become more resilient.  You will – you will – become happier.  That’s not to say that there won’t be times, like today for me, when you won’t look back with a sense of loss, but it will get better.

This time a few years ago I couldn’t have imagined today.  I spent it with my brother and sister-in-law.  We had a lovely lunch out, then we went for a walk along the Thames, enjoying a chocolate ice cream as we watched ducks paddling furiously against the current, dogs careening around the park, tails battering with joy from side to side, new mothers out walking their babies, adults out walking with their aging parents.

Despite today’s anniversary and the sad loss it represented, it was a good day.  I had a good day yesterday.  I will most likely have good day tomorrow.

And so will you. If not tomorrow, then one day.

Hang in there.  I does get better.  I promise.