So that  is only 34 years that I was treated badly and put up with it. Big deal.
What people need to realize is that it was NEVER all bad, at least not until the last 4 years. Narcissists choose the strongest, most vibrant personalities to destroy because that gives them the most kick. "Wow, I am really wonderful. Look what a great person I have subjugated and destroyed.!"
 In order to do that, the y have to give you enough positive to keep you in the marriage. If they miscalculate the target (you, me), and you get away, they have failed. And that is an unthinkable outcome.

Actually I was pretty much myself, loved and cherished (I thought) from the time I moved in with Bill until after I had the ileostomy surgery in 1984. So that was 4 short years of thinking I was loved, then I had surgery and became well, and became the target of accusations that I had changed the rules, that I was no longer the same person, etc. Yeah, I became well after being sick off and on with Crohn 's disease for more than 10 years. Bad me.

For 38 years, the only time I could be myself was when my husband wasn't around.  Why oh why did it take me so long to realize how very wrong and unacceptable that is was?

I will definitely have a  hangover tomorrow, as I have been reading back in this blog over the last few years. I believe writing here is the only thing that kept me semi-sane. Now I have to concentate on becoming fully sane again.

I DID leave, just over a year ago. So much has happened, but life is just so much better now. It got better as soon as I left, and continues to do so. I have gotten divorced, not without its problems, but it was final May 30. Exspouse remarried 2 weeks later, and announced it by taking his new wife on a trail ride with MY riding club. Luckily I wasn't present at that one.
I have bought a house in my hometown, Hugo, CO, and am going to live happily ever after. I have posted a lot on F acebook, but sometimes want to get deeper in my psyche than FB is really designed for. So here I am.
More soon.