Facebook has been an awakener of long-term memory, for sure. I’ve enjoyed catching up with old friends, wished I could change some things of the past, and wished I could bury some of those old memories again!

It’s nice to have hindsight, isn’t it?

I think Heavenly Father is watching out for us, because sometimes we don’t know how important the right decision can be for our future. At least that has been the case for me.

And, I’m glad you’re so happy now. You’re lucky in your husband, just as I am in mine.

I’ve made many mistakes in my life, but thanks to the atonement, i dont feel like they have affected my happiness today in any way. The atonement really is infinite and God really does remember our sins no more.
The most important decision for me was joining the Mormon church at age 14 and not committing major sins since then.

Not having parents to guide me without the church i would have undoubtedly ended up dead, or an alcoholic, a drug addict, a prostitute, or at least an unwed mother. or maybe a combination of these.

Luckily God saw fit to snatch me out of that environment by sending me a couple of missionaries and teaching me an easier and happier way to live. It has been a happy ever after since then, and no I’m not exaggerating. I say it how it is, jane, no metaphors…

And…this is why I’m NOT on Facebook; some people and places I’d rather let lie peacefully in the past.

Jane – love that so many of your family members read your blog and you’re still so honesly you. Kudos for bravery!

I agree with the comments about decisions, small and large.

With this post I tried (and failed, to some degree) to express my mixed feelings on being reminded of a choice I made many years ago — the choice to end a relationship.

I struggled to write this within my own boundaries to convey the emotions and the analysis without the details. Perhaps that’s impossible, or (more likely) I’m simply not skilled enough to do that.

I like what people have said about little choices and small, everyday decisions (and gestures) making very big differences in our lives.

As I wrote, I considered the decisions I make every day that are unimportant. I wanted to contrast these with this one huge decision that changed the course of my life. What are the small choices I make everyday? How I interact with my kids? What I say to my husband? Whether I make dinner or take the family to McDonalds?

And I couldn’t use any of these as examples of things that don’t matter. Every time I yell or don’t yell, every time I praise my husband instead of criticizing, even whether I expend energy and thought for dinner rather than running through the drive-through (again)?

These things matter.

Only, not quite as much as that decision I made thirteen years ago — the decision to hurt and be hurt — and to seek something different.

It’s amazing how a split decision can change the direction of your life.