Overcoming A Startling Confession Through The Power Of Love And
Forgiveness
Kutv.com
April 29, 2008
Months ago, 2News revealed a serious problem that was happening in
Utah parks. =93Cruising,=94 refers to men looking for other men to have
anonymous ***. Now, in a special re****t, a Mormon family is forced to
deal with a starling confession while overcoming the unthinkable
through the power of forgiveness.
Kim and Steve Smith began life together like many other couples. They
were best friends, they were in love, and they were living what some
would consider a Mormon fairy tail.
The two were married in the Salt Lake temple. Steve was a pilot in the
U.S. Air Force and after just a few years together, they brought two
beautiful boys into the world.
=93We had a very full and very wonderful life,=94 said Kim. =93Our
relation****p was very fulfilling and wonderful, except, in a ***ual
way.=94
Kim says for nearly a decade the physical intimate part of their
marriage was at best, disconnected. And after years of frustration,
finally, they arrived at a breaking point.
=93So, the morning after our ninth anniversary, I said, =91we have to
figure this out,=92=94 said Kim.
Kim describes the conversation that morning as frank and painful. As
they talked, Steve revealed something that he had kept for years. As a
teenage boy, he had been ***ually abused.
And unfortunately, the news got worse.
Steve confessed to Kim that for the last three years, he had been
=93Cruising.=94 In other words, Steve was secretly and randomly having ***
with other men.
=93It=92s easier to get mad, it=92s easier to get angry,=94 said Kim. =93I
w=
as
able to see past the anger and not let the anger effect my decisions
at the moment. That=92s not to say there hasn=92t been anger or
frustration or heartache or sorrow. All of those emotions have to
come. But not at that moment.=94
Kim says it was that decision, to refrain from immediate anger that
saved her family. Her husband was gay; even so, they re-committed
themselves to the marriage.
Why didn=92t she leave him?...is still a question.
=93I don=92t even know myself, except I=92m grateful with every fiber of
my
soul that I didn=92t,=94 said Kim.
Determined to keep her family together, Kim knew very well that the
next step was forgiveness and it would not come easy.
A trust had been broken, a love betrayed, and just as the wounds were
beginning to heal=85
=93The worst fears were recognized and we discovered that I was HIV
positive,=94 said Kim.
She had received the disease from Steve, which meant instead of
fighting solely to keep their marriage and family together, there
would be an entirely new battle, as they fought to save their lives.
In a do***entary, Steve said in tears, =93I do still feel guilty of
infecting my wife=85.who=92s innocent.=94
That interview took place more than eight years ago. In the final
months of his life, HIV turned to AIDS for Steve. The effects were
devastating. His once handsome face turned pail and gaunt. His once
athletic body turned to skin and bones.
Again, it would be the person he hurt the most that would be right by
his side.
Kim doesn=92t expect others to understand why she chose to stay by
Steve.
=93You didn=92t live my life. You didn=92t fell my emotions, nor did you
share my heart, nor did you share a life with this wonderful person,=94
said Kim.
In his final days, Steve would barely have the strength to leave his
bed. His final words were that of a man who knew exactly what he once
had, and sadly, what he was about to lose.
Kim said, =93He was conscious and he said, =91I hope you know how
perfectly I love you=85.and=85I don=92t want to leave.=92=94
It=92s been nearly eight years since the passing of Steve Smith. His
family is moving forward as they gain strength from looking back.
Their experience reflects the words of their favorite hymn;
Be still my soul, thy best, thy heavenly friend, through t***** ways,
leads to a joyful end.
Kim says Steve was a talented musician and artist. He adored his
family and was a good father. She says she knew she was the love of
his life. Her hope is that Steve will be remembered for all the good
he did in life and not the mistakes.
http://www.truthandgrace.com/mormonnews.htm
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