Jerry Robinson56 said:As long as you can walk steadily on your own two feet, or can still see and hear... what is the actual "problem"? Competing in some discipline just for the sake of ego or vanity... I have been there.
He has realized he is merely human, and that realization has crushed him... he has learned that the mind is often stronger than the body.
Let him take this as a lesson: the only thing that matters now is being a good partner to you and, eventually, to your future family.
Many people see their plans, or even their entire lives, fall apart, yet they move forward. Often multiple times. 😁 Unfortunately, on that journey, one side frequently consumes the other due to a messy entanglement of guilt and helplessness—especially when realizing how much time was lost pursuing a misguided path, even when one believed it was for a higher purpose.
I have made enough mistakes to have lived at least six lifetimes... and I am still in good shape.
Believe me, health is paramount, and there is absolutely no shame in walking away. Rugby? A ligament tear or a strain is one thing, but a shoulder is certainly better than a knee. 😁
A lifelong dream is merely the path toward a goal, whereas the true victory lies in conquering the goal itself, however strange that may sound...
Betty Fowler you hit the nail on the head; engaging in dialogue with intelligent people is immensely helpful...
His fear is tied directly to his health. Since his wellbeing is his top priority, he’s terrified of doing anything until he is 100% recovered. I totally get where he's coming from, and I feel for him, but I also know I have to stay grounded and keep living my life. Moping around won't solve anything. It’s actually a blessing that sports aren't his entire identity; he has two other major pillars to lean on: his family and his career (and the business goals he's working toward). Whatever happened, happened. He won't compete now, but in a year or two, he'll be ready for another tournament or match. That's just how it goes. With Lacrosse, he tore two ligaments, had two titanium plates inserted, and a fracture (or maybe two 🤔 I can't quite remember), and it'll take about three months just to get his shoulder functioning again—plus a few more months to regain full strength. At least his left hand is fine, and he's right-handed.
Joseph Bailey41 said:Fears like that can be contagious. I’d suggest trying to keep some emotional distance from the whole thing. Just look out for yourself.
It's not fear, it's just concern—worrying that he might spiral into depression or that I won't be able to help him enough. But worrying is natural, at least when it comes to the people you love. At least, that's how I see it. 🤷
Betty Fowler said:Sure, but compassion isn't really that complex an emotion. With compassion, we aren't mimicking someone else's lack of purpose; we’re simply reacting to the resulting feeling—sadness.
Yeah, sadness can be contagious—especially when it’s someone you care about. But just because you catch their mood doesn't mean you have to own their reasons for feeling that way.
🙂
I think this hits home. Look, I’m not a sociopath or anything—I actually feel for him—but that doesn't mean I'm sitting here crushed and devastated by everything. Maybe a little bit? Honestly, part of it is just the feeling that I sacrificed a lot to help reach that goal. And I don't mean I was being a martyr; it's more that I spent so much time alone. There were plenty of holidays or big milestones where I really wished he could have been there, you know? But at the end of the day, I still have my own life, and it makes no sense for my entire world to fall apart just because of his situation. If I'm being totally honest, the hardest part has been the guilt. Like, while he was stuck in the hospital, I went out for coffee with my girlfriends and actually had a good time. I hated the idea of him feeling like I was rubbing my life in his face. Luckily, he doesn't see it that way, and he's being just as understanding of me as I am of him.
Joseph Bailey41 said:I don't think this is really about sadness, though—it feels more like fear. And honestly, that’s a tough spot to be in, especially if it’s reached the point where he's lost his will to keep going. It’s awkward. He basically has to decide whether he's going to man up and stick with his sport or just sit around mourning the opportunities he thinks he's lost. Until he makes that choice, there isn't much she can do to help. Anything she says might come off as pushy, which usually leads to him pushing back, and before you know it, the whole thing turns toxic. That's why I suggested she try to create some emotional distance and give him space to figure out his own next move.
That’s exactly why I’m trying to be so careful about how I word things and weigh every situation. Until he truly gets his head straight and makes sense of everything he's feeling, there's a real risk that anything I say could be totally misinterpreted. Because of that, I’m focusing on being there for him—offering all the emotional and physical support I can—without pushing him too hard. I’m only reaching out here because I want to figure out the best way to handle things and navigate this relationship more effectively.
Looking back at all the advice I've received, if I had to boil it down to one big takeaway, it’s this: the best thing I can do is just be there for him. I need to offer support and show I care without being overbearing or pushing too hard. It’s perfectly okay for him to feel a bit down or worried right now, but I can't let his struggle—or our shared stress—drag us both into a deep depression. This is just a temporary setback. We're still young, and we have our whole lives ahead of us. 😁
P.S. Seriously, thanks everyone. I’ve never dealt with anything like this before, and honestly, I was just flying blind.