Closure, What It Feels Like

I finally got to court on Wednesday; “got to” meaning that we were all there, including the judge, but we didn’t face the judge because nasty lady lawyer decided that we were not properly prepared to face the judge who would get mad at us all for arguing about little things, as in the Battle of the Grocery Store Receipts. That was, to a large extent, because, as she tried to make it out, I did not present the hundreds of pages of receipts and bills to her and her associate early enough to send to exman. Of course, I was never told that I needed to have them in to her early enough to send to him in advance (and in chronological order). She, of course, also said that it was because I got emotional over the summer when there was another delay and I need to, basically, act my age. I was also charged as guilty for not having continued to present receipts to him all the time, as it stated in the PSA but which he always ignored and so I stopped. 

But I don’t feel like mulling over how the lawyers I have encountered have failed me. In spite of her not preparing me to properly prepare for court, I do think she was the best lawyer I have encountered and too bad that I didn’t have her earlier instead of the lawyer who I thought was as good as could be when, in fact, he was incompetent. (Note to self and others: do as Charlotte did and go for the unattractive lawyer if you’re going with a man.)

Okay, the point. Nasty lady lawyer, who wouldn’t let exman rile her and abuse her as he has done to three associates at her law firm as well as the receptionist (imagine that, verbally abusing a receptionist) told exman off and, perhaps momentarily, put him in his little place. Her reaction to him: he’s extremely unattractive; he looks dissolute, as if he might, on occasion, be drinking too much; is seedy and unkempt looking; oh, and he is still in love with me and is devastated by the divorce. She even told him that he’s upset that I left him and it must hurt him that I am so cute. Oh, the woman has balls.

But that’s still not the point. The point is that I am finished, finished with worrying about him getting the better of me, of him getting away with owing me money. I’m just done. What has been has been, and now I am ready to let it go, so I won’t have more money to buy an apartment, and so I have spent too much money on lawyers, I am content as in not mad at myself for letting him win without putting up a fight and not disappointed in myself for having given in. Content that I have done all that I could have—should have—and content, too, that I have come out at the place where I am. 

For the first time I don’t see that another process will bring me anything I need—or that I will get—and am ready to let go. Sure, she said that she will meet with him to go over his receipts and my receipts (at no charge to me she even told him—and she charges quite a lot), but I don’t feel anchored to that in any way. No, I have left the anchor behind. I am no longer moored in any way to him and the marriage and the divorce. Does saying that negate saying it? No, I don’t think so. I really feel complete. Maybe that’s closure, not that there is a tidy end to something (and even an apology and a forgiving), but rather that you feel that no more needs to be done. Does closure happen when you sever your ties to something that had formerly held you? Not that you close a door, but rather that you pass through a doorway. So closure really is an opening, an opening into a space that doesn’t hold you to what had been. Closure, it’s not an end, it’s the gradual movement from one place to another. It is the personal passage from the past to the present.

NOTE: I absolutely loved the fact that this tough 60-something lawyer came to court in an obviously expensive black suit that was decorated with tiny rhinestones and  rhinestone-studded heart-shaped buttons. Oh, she was a sight to see. No power shoulder pads or asexual suiting, she was all woman—all 120 pounds of her in her three-inch heels, ready to do battle with any pin-stripe that came her way.

Comments

[April]

For whatever reason, you went through what you had to go through to reach this point. I hope that the closure brings you a sense of peace.

[Beth]

This is the best definition of closure I have ever read. I'm still waiting to feel a sense of closure. My sister says it will come when the papers are finally signed. I hope so. I've been wondering why I can't just achieve it on my own.

[rockync]

I am so glad you have found the place where you can finally "let go." True, letting go and closing that door does not always mean fair and equitable, but it does mean FREE.
And now you are free to redefine yourself and your life and pretty much do anything you want to - sky's the limit!
Center yourself in the universe and embrace this precious gift of life and all it has to offer and you will have everything you need. I love how positive and rational you sound now that you are away from that malevolent influence.
I wish you a happy journey and hope you continue to share it with us.

[JC]

I like your description of closure as being an opening -- you have an opening to your new life, full of possibilities. What a relief after this long journey. What a good feeling to have.

[Lori]

I agree with your description of closure. And I do think each of us reach that point in our own time. It is so freeing once you do. I remember the moments when I walked through that door. Wow. Such a journey and one I haven't forgotten. Yes, closure is an ending but I also say it's a new beginning. Here's to new beginnings! XX

[Ricardo]

This long exhausting battle is finally winding down. I'm glad you're turning the corner on this because now the rest of your life can really kick in and you deserve it.

[SimplyForties]

Good for you Laura. I'm so happy you've gotten to this point. Here's to a really spectacular 2010!