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CTyankee

(67,675 posts)
Wed Nov 26, 2025, 03:18 PM Nov 26

I was worried about Thanksgiving at my daughter's house.....

she didn't indicate that my first husband's widow would be there...

Back story: she was his grad student and they began an affair and I got a divorce. But they got married and I eventually got married. Then he died. This was along time ago.

She is not on the list this year. Maybe she's dead. I didn't ask my daughter. One of my grandkids specifically asked if I would come this year and that made me feel good.

Now maybe I can like Thanksgiving again. I haven't for a long time.

14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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CTyankee

(67,675 posts)
2. Thanks, Dave. I hope she won't show up anyway.
Wed Nov 26, 2025, 03:25 PM
Nov 26

I will have a nice glass of wine for fortification.

wcmagumba

(5,385 posts)
3. Hope you can go and enjoy it. Holidays are so weird...Sometimes I'm glad I never married and have no kids...
Wed Nov 26, 2025, 03:26 PM
Nov 26

My only surviving sister hasn't spoken to me for years, since mom passed and not everyone agreed on her interment plans and such...I enjoy holidays with myself and and couple of friends I text. I make the whole dinner for myself and quite like it...

CTyankee

(67,675 posts)
7. I really want to see my daughter and my grandkids. She has no rights to them! Yet she calls them "my grandchildren."
Wed Nov 26, 2025, 03:35 PM
Nov 26

That absolutely enrages me.

3catwoman3

(28,348 posts)
13. She sounds awful. My husband's ex was a piece of work. She was unfaithful and let that be known...
Wed Nov 26, 2025, 04:15 PM
Nov 26

...by leaving out a diary for him to find, extolling the virtues of her lover. She continued to call his parents Mom and Dad after the divorce. My husband never told his parents about the infidelity. His mom was a staunch Catholic and was not happy about the divorce. She never warmed up to me.

For her 3rd marriage, the ex used the diamond from the first marriage to make the engagement ring for that 3rd marriage. On one of my husband's dad weekends during that time, it was convenient for the ex for us to pick up the kids at the bridal salon where she was getting her 3rd wedding dress. My husband's daughter was going to be her mom's junior bridesmaid, and wanted to show us the dress she was going to wear. Then, the ex insisted on on showing us her dress, too. Who does that?

For wedding number 4, they sent us a fancy engraved wedding announcement. At least it wasn't an invitation to attend.

She died just over a year ago, and husband number 4 wanted to know if my husband wanted to some to the service. He declined.

I do hope this person in NOT at your daughter's house tomorrow.

maxsolomon

(37,993 posts)
6. If your daughter invites her, she must have a functional relationship with her stepmother?
Wed Nov 26, 2025, 03:33 PM
Nov 26

I hope it goes as well as possible.

CTyankee

(67,675 posts)
8. She went out of her way to "help" my daughter, always kissing up to her.
Wed Nov 26, 2025, 03:38 PM
Nov 26

My now and forever husband detested her and my ex for what they did to me.

maxsolomon

(37,993 posts)
9. Hope that hasn't damaged your relationship with your daughter.
Wed Nov 26, 2025, 03:44 PM
Nov 26

I presume she knows how you feel and why being around your ex's widow is distressing.

CTyankee

(67,675 posts)
12. I'm sure she does. But I got a "no fault" divorce because I didn't want my kids to suffer. My lawyer at the time wanted
Wed Nov 26, 2025, 04:03 PM
Nov 26

to really go after him but I said no. Really, the kids were in Jr. High and High School then. It would have been damaging to them...

Tree Lady

(12,952 posts)
14. Been many years but I know how you feel
Wed Nov 26, 2025, 04:57 PM
Nov 26

Hubby's ex befriended my kids and bought them things knowing we had little money after paying her, all the while she sent me long letter saying not to get close to her daughter. We have been married 25 yrs now and it's just been last few years my step daughter and I got close, took a lot of years away from moms influence.

I remember when my daughter graduated I couldn't afford any fancy party or dinner just bought her a gift and she had a party and invited all the girls, was always super sweet to them while a raving B to me. My kids to this day still think I was just jealous of her because she had more money.

I will say it did hurt that they didn't believe me when I told them what she did to me. Luckily I haven't seen her since step daughters wedding 10 yrs ago.

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