Researchers from the University of Missouri published the results of an interesting study recently, which examined a group of women who found themselves caring for their ill ex-husbands. Some of the women separated from their ex-spouses decades before and suffered brutal and bitter divorces. Yet each of these women chose to set aside her anger and emotional wounds and care for a man to whom she was no longer wed. While these women gave a variety of reasons for their decision, a common thread appeared to be children. They did not want their children to carry the burden of caring for an ill parent and they wanted to help their children through the emotional journey of losing a loved one.
While I do not believe the women in this study are reflective of a large or growing trend, I do think they present an interesting glimpse into how life can be after divorce.