M
michelleanne
Guest
I am married for the third time. I know that sounds terrible, but before you judge me, let me explain. The first time I was married I was seventeen and pregnant. I stayed with my husband and subsequently had four beautiful children. He was Catholic but I was not, although I was the one who took the children to church and eventually became Catholic as well. During most of our marriage, my husband beat me and slept with other women. A kind priest baptised me so that I could become Catholic, even though we had been married by a justice of the peace. At one point I had to take my children to a shelter for abused women where we lived for a month. My husband promised to change and I went back to him. He then beat me so badly that I had a severe concussion. This occurred when my youngest two children (twins) were babies. I left again and went back to the shelter. Afraid for my family, I met a man who offered to take care of me and my children. I married him (methodist minister married us) after knowing him for only a few months. He was kind and I loved him, but he had a severe alcohol problem from fighting in Viet Nam. We stayed married for nineteen years because I knew he was a good man in spite of his issues. Please understand that my children came first to me and they are very happy well adjusted adults. These two men never laid a hand on my kids or I would not have stayed with them. I felt that I was the problem. I am now married to a wonderful man who I worked with for two years before I dated him. He is a retired special ed. teacher and encouraged me to finish college.He is a Lutheran. I will be graduating in two weeks with my bachelor’s degree at 54! I would just love to be able to take communion at church. Please tell me what I can do…Thanks very much, Michelle