Saturday, September 29, 2012

Both Sides


It has come to my attention that my *dear* mother has posted a very interesting post on Facebook accusing me of many things, one of those things being that I don’t give both sides of the story.  Alright, you want both sides? (although I fail to see how I’ve neglected it, but okay) here you go.  I’m reposting the post word-for-word, but I’ve added my own little commentary.  But before I start, I just have to say thank you! I literally got a good 20 minute laugh reading all of this.  It’s far too amusing for me to find offensive. J (My comments will be bold and in parenthesis J)

Written by my mother, Cheryl Smith:

So....I have pretty much withdrawn from the world wide web because I am sick of all the BS that is apparently floating around about me due to my eldest daughter, Amber, and all the crap she is apparently spreading. I was recently informed by someone who has access to her page that she is saying a lot of really nasty things about me and I have absolutely *NO* way to defend myself, my name or get any say in whatever it is she is saying about me.  (Hahaha wow really?? WHEN do I talk about you? EVER?? In fact, I haven't mentioned you in a post for MONTHS [I just checked] Except to say I’m hurt because of something YOU did. Like, oh I don’t know, making a HUGE fuss about me then saying something along the lines of “so much for a good birthday; I’m crying my eyes out” when it was MY birthday?? Wow…) I am told she has a pretty captive audience and that if she had any ratings, like a TV audience, she'd be off the charts with the way people respond and show support. (It’s very true that my true friends have made themselves known, but they’re also very good – thankfully so – at telling me when they think I’m wrong, and I try my best to listen) I have no voice, yet she's got a captive audience....how does this work exactly?? Like father like daughter, right? (Leave my father out of this.  Your qualm is with me.)
Then I got to thinking...I have this little box right here and I am going to type into it. I have a voice and I'm going to use it right now.......and then.......that's all I'm going to say on the matter. Take what you will from it, believe what you want and then, if you're on my friends list, delete me for all I care. Really- I don't. But pick a side already and quit this neutrality bullshit. (Yes, I cuss. Get over it.)  (Honestly, WHY does anyone need to pick a side?? If someone was a friend to Alex and I before the split, why on EARTH can’t they support both of us?? I don’t think anyone should pick me over Alex.  In fact, I hope they DON’T, because he needs support too!  It saddens me that my own mother decided she had to pick sides, but I hope that my friends don’t feel like they have to) (Oh, and so you can cuss and do whatever else and heaven forbid anyone judge you, yet YOU get to judge ME?? Nice.  When I get to be your age, do I get that privilege too??)
I've been told that Amber uses "Jesus" as her forum....that she uses the name of God to spew her venom of hate, hypocrisy and lies about me and Alex. Question: How many WARS have been started under the same umbrella, exactly?? Does anyone else see the problem with forgiving but not forgetting? Does anyone else see the problem with using Christianity as a scape goat for doing whatever we want? "It's ok if I sleep around, Jesus loves me for who I am." If I'm not mistaken, Jesus doesn't excuse sin....he can't, actually. (First off, I think it is utterly and completely WRONG for ANYONE to use Christ’s name to spew anything that isn’t Godly.  If I have done so, please point out examples and I will do my very best to alter my behavior.  Second, if and when I invoke God’s name it is to either a, praise Him, b, explain how H'es helped me realize some shortcoming of my own, or c, tell of the most recent way He has taught me something.  Third, you’re right, Jesus doesn’t excuse sin.  But He *does* forgive it.  I’m not saying that gives us a ‘do whatever you want and get out of jail free’ card, but it does give those of us who aren’t perfect some hope when it comes to whether or not we’ll be able to make it home to Him.)
How about lying? Does God justify lying? The person I recently spoke to said she mentioned trying to protect Keira and that's the excuse she is using ONLINE to justify Alex not seeing Keira yet she has told Alex that if he does not give her COMPLETE custody of Keira HE IS NOT ALLOWED ANY FURTHER CONTACT WITH HIS OWN CHILD.  Sound familiar?? I'm curious....isn't that illegal? And how exactly is she protecting Keira? How exactly is that justifiable? Wouldn't she need to procure a restraining order? Why yes...yes she would. I'm Keira's grandma, don't you think if *I* believed Alex were a danger *I* would be the FIRST to be on this bandwagon?? Doesn't anyone ELSE think this is a load of CONTROL ISSUES GONE AWRY?? (Bull shit.  Flat out bull shit.  He *is* allowed contact with our daughter.  I have told him that he is welcome to visit with her here any time he wants.  He simply will not be taking her with him again until we have a signed and filed separation and custody agreement, to protect myself, Keira, *and* Alex believe it or not.  As for illegal, you wish.  Until we have that separation agreement, I am under NO legal obligation to even let him see her at all, and yet I am if he chooses to come to the door for a visit.  I have very valid reasons why I am doing what I’m doing, and if anyone wants to ask me I will tell them.  I will not, however, say exactly what my reasons are on the web, simply because I don’t want to sully his name.)
OK, so....I supposedly gossip about Amber and say ugly things about her. Question number 1)When....EVER...aside from the ONE AND ONLY TIME...ON ALEX'S FACEBOOK PAGE...HAVE I EVER DONE THIS??? When has ANYONE heard/seen me talk about Amber on my OWN Facebook page? Please, by ALL means...TELL ME....when have you seen me gossip about AMBER?? (Was that one time not enough?? Were all of the LIES you told about me on Alex’s page not enough??? Though yes, there have been plenty more times.  Like, say, all the ‘fun’ times you’ve commented on my blog.) 2) Who would I gossip *to* about Amber? NO ONE IN MY WARD (church) GIVES A DAMN ABOUT AMBER EIDEM. NO ONE. No one gives a RATS ASS (literally) about the BULLSHIT that child has done to ANYONE. Amber's life does NOT revolve around ANY of us so why would it be a topic of EMBARRASSINGconversation??? And as far as gossiping to any of Amber's family....the ONLY people I have spoken to about what Amber has done was her Aunt Jill when this whole thing first happened to WARN her that I WORRIED Amanda may get HURT with all the LIES Amber was telling....because NO ONE knew what was TRUTH and what was NOT (Hahahaha, your version of the truth is GREATLY skewed.  Like for example, no, I don’t go out and party.  In fact, I believe the last party – besides church events – I’ve ever been to was a supervised Halloween party when I was 14.  And no, I didn’t ‘confide’ in you that I’d ‘been drinking’.  I didn’t ‘confide’ in you at all [Though if I did *confide* in you, like you'd said, you did a GREAT job being a confidant].  I *told* you that I’d had *a* sip of *a* drink.  Just like I’m *telling* you now that I have since had a grand total of 3 drinks, each of which I had *after* my 21st birthday, and Keira was NOWHERE near me, and even if she were, what business is it of yours??  I’m nowhere near an alcoholic, I have no desire whatsoever to go out and get drunk, do drugs, or anything else, so what exactly is the problem here??). I haven't spoken with Jill SINCE THEN. And I have JUST RECENTLY (as of Sunday) spoken to Christa for the FIRST TIME since her visit out here in June! And even then I made it VERY clear that I **WILL NOT** discuss AMBER with ANYONE unless they WANT to get their FACES RIPPED OFF. (So what’s this, then?)
Have I spoken the truth? You bet! Have I told it like it is?! I always do! (No, you definitely don’t.  But thanks for playin’.) Would I say it to your face? If opportunity presents itself, I'll gladly tell you what's up! But gossip?? Never. Spew lies?? About what?? The truth WILDER than fiction!!
The rule in the house is that Amber's name is NOT to be uttered. AMBER IS DEAD. Period. We don't speak her name. There are no pictures of her on my wall. She does not exist.
So how am I going to talk about someone that is dead to me? WHY would I talk about someone who is dead to me??    (Okay, so if I’m so dead, any on EARTH did you bother writing this?? Or better yet, why on EARTH do you take the time to look up my blog and post ‘anonymously’? Or keep tabs on what I am doing?  Or – and this is my favorite – get into my email account and start deleting everything in the account?? And yes, I know it was you, because the IP address of the ‘other logged in party’ was in ALABAMA.  That’s a pretty weird obsession with someone who’s dead.  In fact, I think they have a word for it: necrophilia.)
Amber took away my granddaughter because she ASSUMED...because she was CONSUMED with GUILT...that I was "out to get her".... I didn't need a confession from you STUPID! YOU ALREADY TOLD ME YOU CHEATED ON ALEX!! Why would I NEED you to CONFESS!! I just wanted to Understand WHY! I wanted to know what *I* could've done to PREVENT IT! What could *I* have done to have been THERE FOR YOU! What could *I* have done to be a BETTER PARENT! What could *I* have done to be a better FRIEND?! But NOOoooooooo you want to be a CUNT and take my grandchild away from me??? (Your exact question [And I quote] was “Did you really commit adultery, and was it because of my own example as a mother?”  Harmless enough, right?  Well, I thought so too at first.  But I called Alex that night and asked him if he’d heard from you lately, at all, or if he had any idea why you might be asking that question since – as you said  - I had already TOLD you I hadn’t been faithful [again, not that that’s any of your business], so *why* would you be asking "did you" instead of "why did"?? His answer was no, and yet funnily enough, the phone records show that he had been on the phone w/you for a good hour up until I called, and then for another good long while *after* he and I hung up!  He later told me that yes, you had been asking about my affair.  And on top of that, he had forwarded you an email from my personal email account between me and the man I had – regrettably – been unfaithful with the DAY before you emailed me.  That’s a pretty funky coincidence, don’t you think??)
That's cool. Talk shit.......
At least now you and your little Maury lovin' friends know where I stand......... (I think everyone knew where you stood when you called me a whore on Facebook.)
Oh and.....some of you might wanna be careful. I always keep the email's you send me and I'm dangerous when I've been provoked.......
That goes for you too, Camron. (Okay, so first you say you want people to take sides, right? Well, thanks for making it *perfectly* clear that if it’s not *your* side you’re going to try to make their lives a living Hell.  Well guess what, I’m not scared of someone who’s obviously so backed into a corner that they’re threatening blackmail to anyone who dares take my side. )
Now, as I said.....this is all I'm going to say on the matter. I'm not about to trying and explain or justify myself to a group of pathetic 20-something year olds who see **ONLY ONE** side of a story and think they have **ALL** the answers. You see what AMBER WANTS you to see and NOTHING MORE. You have YET to see ALEX's side because he's QUIET and he keeps to himself. There is AN ENORMOUS amount he doesn't share because frankly it's between HIM AND AMBER and he doesn't figure it's any of your damn business.  It wasn't BEFORE he got married and IT'S NOT NOW. (Maybe Alex himself hasn’t spread many, MANY things that were private between us, but he told *someone* who did.  So if that *someone* was you, Good job in ruining his reputation for keeping things private.  It’s not just me who thinks he can’t keep his mouth shut anymore.)  Keira IS bathed when she comes over and she DOES have clean clothes when she's with him.  (I’m sorry, were you there when I asked him “Did she have a bath this weekend?” and he answered with a resounding “no”? Or how about when he’d return her to me in the *same* clothes I’d documented her leaving in and they were filthy?  If you were there, that’s just plain creepy, but you’d clearly see that that is not always the case.  Do I think he’s a bad father? No.  But the bath and clothes thing was *very* true.  Granted, he’s done much better lately, and I’ve made sure to say so when people ask.) Amber didn't think he was dangerous BEFORE she was having afairs...How is he so dangerous ALL OF A SUDDEN??  Doesn't anybody else think it's nuts that she's got an answer for EVERYTHING she does that **YOU** wouldn't tolerate YOUR ex doing to YOU if it were YOUR kid?? (The only ones supporting me know why I’ve done the things I’ve done.  And again, they’re still good enough friends to tell me when they think I’ve crossed a line.)Yet Damn near every one of YOU are supporting HER?? How funny that Alex who WAS the night in shining armour is suddenly the BAD guy....he sure wasn't 6 months ago....a year ago....two years ago. (I don’t think Alex is – or ever was – a ‘bad guy’.  I think he’s a good man in a tight spot, and that he’s hurt and angry.  JUSTIFIABLY SO! I take full responsibility for that.  I do, however, think that he’s done some very wrong things, things that aren’t excused simply because  he’s hurting and angry.  However, I think that all-in-all, he’s better than that, and when his head clears he too will realize it.)

You fickle people absolutely amaze me. You remind me of the ones that screamed "CRUCIFY HIM!!!!" When Pilate Asked, "Him Or Barnabaus?"......Funny.....just prior to that they loved him. (And what does that say for you, mother?  Just before you found out about the split, you loved me.  Just before you found out I left the Mormon church, you at least tolerated me.  But suddenly I was a horrible human being.  And I’m talking about things FAR before your email and my response to it.  How are YOU any different?  Your logic astounds me.)
Hang in there Alex....I love ya, hon.
(Yes, Alex, hang in there.  I mean that w/no sarcasm.  I know things are hard, I know that you’re hurt and angry and it is completely my fault, and I am sorry.  But hang in there.  Please, I am begging you, stop lying to me and doing the things you are doing.  Work with me, like we had promised each other when this whole mess started.  What happened to keeping this between you and me as much as possible??  What happened to ‘I’d never take Keira away from her mother’?? You’re better than this, Alex.  We both know you are.  I still want to work with you.  I still want to share custody – though not 50/50 anymore, I’m sorry – but I do want to share custody, because you and K BOTH deserve to have a relationship with each other.  And regardless of whether you and I can ever be civil again, I’m not going to offer you any less than 1/3 the year, just like I told you in that voicemail. Please remember who you are and quit doing what everyone ELSE is telling you to do.  Start doing what you know to be right.

As for you, mother? Just stop.  The only one you're embarrassing is yourself.  The lies you've spread about me are now just getting to be amusing, so just quit.  And keep your qualms w/me.  I think it's just plain sad that a grown woman is resorting to involving OTHER people to get at the person she's pissed off at.  Well guess what, you can blackmail and threaten and spread nasty notes all day long.  You don't scare me.  You don't even intimidate me.  YOU told me grow a backbone.  Guess I just wasn't supposed to use it to stand up to you, huh?   Funny, isn't that the qualm you had w/YOUR dad once upon a time?)

Friday, September 21, 2012

Done

Alright, I'm so tired of being the 'bad guy' over this whole divorce.  It's gotten around quite quickly that I did not let X take K this weekend.  This is true.  But remember, THERE ARE TWO SIDES!!! Most of you have made it quite clear who my real friends are, and I appreciate that, but to anyone who has not, to anyone who wants to know what is going on and WHY, by all means, come and ask. I won't publicly post all of the reasons K did NOT go w/her father today, will not publicly humiliate him the way he has me (and the way I so DESPERATELY want to) but if anyone wants to know the real reasons, if anyone has the guts to ask me, by all means; ask away.  I've kept my mouth shut for MONTHS over the many things he's done in order to help him save face.  I'm done.  I may not be willing to stoop so low as to let it be plastered on my blog, or on my facebook wall, but there's nothing stopping me from sending it in an email to those who want to know. On, and to Derrick, I completely agree w/your comment about people SHOULDN'T treat each other that way; I've been TRYING to tell him that since we split up, and there are reasons I finally put my foot down.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Happiness

Pure, unadulterated happiness.  That's what I felt tonight.  I was at rehearsal (oh, by the way, I tried out for a musical and made it.  I'm very excited, especially since I have a duet, as well as a few solo lines. :-)) and I was watching J play w/K from across the room.  He was helping her keep her balance as she walked around, and was always right there to catch her if she fell.  Several times he lifted her up and gave her plenty of kisses.  The whole thing was very sweet, and it absolutely melted my heart.  Just looking at them, I felt pure joy.

I am so happy with my life.  I get to spend every day (well, almost) with my gorgeous daughter, I have a full-time babysitting job which I get to bring K to (and I'm making almost as much as I would working a full time job and paying child care; in fact, I'm only making about $20 less a month than I would be), I am in a musical that I am REALLY enjoying, and I have a wonderful boyfriend who I am absolutely in love with.

To top it all off, I feel my Savior's love for me every day.  Despite my absolute imperfection and in spite of everything I've done, despite all of the mistakes I've made, make daily, and will yet make, I feel His love and for the first time in my life I don't feel like I'm not good enough: I simply accept that I'll never be good enough (none of us will!) and thank Him daily for His unconditional love and acceptance, and strive to make Him as proud as I can.

Six months ago I never would have dreamed I could be this happy.  Six months ago I was still struggling with choices, decisions, religions, family troubles... the works.  But today - for the past several months, actually - I can gladly say that I have been so blessed the past several months.  The Lord has turned my trials into experiences of learning and development and growth, and through them has given me many, many blessings. I am SO incredibly grateful to Him.  And so unbelievably happy.

I wish everyone out there the happiness I feel tonight.  I hope each and every one of you can come to understand the amazing, unconditional love our Savior, Jesus Christ, has for you.  No matter what's going on in your life, what has been done to you, what has been done by you, any family troubles or friend troubles you may have had or be having... it doesn't matter.  He loves you, and it is by and through Him alone that you can receive Eternal joy and happiness.  That fact in and of itself gives me such intense joy I can scarcely contain myself.  :-)  And I hope that, if you have not already discovered this for yourself, that you will so that you can feel the same joy I feel. :-)

Well, that's all I have to say.  :-) I think I'll go to bed.  I have a feeling I'll have very good dreams tonight. :-)

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

For Shame


Today I went in to talk to NCIS about an investigation that has been opened about a certain Cpl of the Marine Corps (S, for those who follow my blog).  What happened in the hour I was there is completely unimportant (though suffice it to say that the case will very shortly – and unceremoniously – be shut); the important part is what I have to say now, to those who got this man involved in the first place:

Shame on you.  All of you.  Your qualm is with me, not him.  Shame on you for retaliating against him when you should be adult enough to keep it in the proper circles, if you’re going to act childish that is.  Why did you do it, I wonder?  Because he stood up to my mother when she was calling me a whore on Facebook?  Because you were trying to corner me somehow?  I guess I’ll never know why, but don’t try to feed me any bullshit about “doing the right thing”, because I’ll know it’s exactly that: bullshit.

S is a good man.  He’s made mistakes, I’ve made mistakes, but who hasn’t??  And besides that, the mistakes that he has made he has dealt with in what he deems the appropriate way.  Even the people who involved him would agree that it was the ‘appropriate’ way of dealing with it, because isn’t talking to your bishop about what happened what you would consider ‘appropriate’ as far as the world of Mormonism goes?  He’s paid his dues, straightened out his life, and fell in love with a wonderful woman and married her, and now together they’re expecting a child.  He loves her with all of his heart, and she him.  To top it off, the majority of his and my communication over the past six months or more has been about the NCIS investigation!

It’s of no consequence, really.  Like I said, the investigation will be closed very soon, and the only thing you’ve done to him is ensure he got a little more pay than he was planning to.  I hope he and his pregnant wife forgive you, as I already have (even if it is still a bit of an annoyance); you’re not worth the space in their heads, nor in mine.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Interesting Findings


Today I was thinning out my collection of documents that I didn't even realize I had anymore, when I came across this.  It was written on March 28th, according to Microsoft Word, which is about 11 days after X moved out.  Even though things are different now and it is certainly over, I thought maybe it would be interesting for people to see what I though about privately to myself in those few weeks after the split:

I am hurting so badly… I don’t know what to do… I love X with all of my heart, but not in the way I should.  Knowing that that hurts him *kills* me.  He is my best friend and I care infinitely for his happiness and wellbeing.  I only ever wanted to make him happy… to the point that I made a vow I knew I never should have made… And now I’m stuck.

Sitting here with my precious baby girl in my arms only makes things that much harder.  I know that X wants to try for her sake, but I just don’t see it that way… I see the resentment that is growing in him because my true feelings are known… I feel the defensiveness at that resentment in my own heart, as well as my own resentment that he is all but forcing certain things on me, trying to make me love him.  And I know the K feels it all.  She sees the growing bitterness… she feels the resentment welling up in her parents, parents who should feel nothing but good feelings about each other, no matter what… X is determined to work through that for her sake, so determined that he grips me tighter and tighter, to the point that all I want to do is let go…  How is that good for our child?

I know my mother thinks I’m a horrible person.  Maybe she’s right.  Maybe I should have never told him how I feel.  Maybe I should have just borne it in silence, prayed it would go away in the next life.  I’m sure some part of X would have preferred it that way… But I didn’t.  I was honest with him… finally.  And now I’m paying for that honesty.  I’m suddenly a horrible person.  I’m selfish and controlling and leaving a path of destruction everywhere I go.  And yet I’m doing nothing differently… I was just – finally – honest.

I’m still praying.  Begging, actually. I sit here holding my beautiful baby girl, listening to EFY music on youtube, and silently crying as I beg God to change me.  I *do* want to change my heart… but I don’t know how, and after four years I’m starting to give up… This is all my fault… I never meant to hurt X… I only meant to make him happy… And I finally went way too far in my good intentions… X, if you ever read this, I am so, *so* sorry…  Please forgive me...