It was really interesting reading this entry. My spouse and I read it together and discussed it. I have been married for 9 years and when we were dating his mother told me all sorts of wonderful stories of their trips to Aruba and around the world etc. My spouse is an only child and I am the youngest of MANY Well to make a long story short, one of the reason I fell in love with my spouse is that he told me early on, “I am all that my mother has” and she will always be my first priority. (His father is deceased)
I appreciated his honesty and gave it thought, talked to my mother about it and pretty much came to the conclusion that he would understand my feeling the same about my mother. Well, now that his mother is more than likely in her last days of life. I am happy to have had those memories with her although she still to this day will never think nothing/noone is good enough for her one and only.:) I feel for you if you are unable to resolve your issues, and I see you have two sons as well