After being married for seventeen years my marriage ended in divorce seven years ago because my husband was verbally and physically abusive and ended up in jail for almost a year for domestic violence. However, it was the best thing that could have happened to him because while in jail he was diagnosed with bipolar illness, started taking medication and once he was released from jail he availed himself of a wonderful community mental health program that has monitored his moods, medications, etc. He has also qualified for social security disability and appears to be doing really well living in a subsidized apartment by himself. In the meantime, three four years after the divorce, I remarried. I still continue to be good friends with my ex-husband. I believe he is rehabilitated to the extent he can be but unfortunately, he will probably never be able to live with anyone. I still have a strong emotional bond with him, which my current husband understands. I want to remain friends with my ex because I believe he still needs me as a support person and I also need his friendship as we have known each other for going on 30 years. I am a seventy-two-year-old woman and have no sexual desire for my former husband, only a strong emotional bond. When I married my current husband he knew about the bond I still had with the husband I divorced and appeared to understand this unique relationship my ex-husband and I share. My ex and I are both writers and artists and have a lot to share with each other. My current husband is into sports, playing cards, and watching television, something that doesn't interest me. We have a working practical relationship with each other, but with both of us advancing in age our relationship is more companionate than anything else. We provide each other with security that we wouldn't otherwise have. The problem is my grown daughter. She feels I should not be friends with my ex-husband (not her father) and never wants me to talk about him. She feels it is morally wrong for a married woman to continue a friendship with an ex even though that friendship is strictly platonic. My current husband is not very expressive nor does he have a desire for emotional intimacy. In fact, when I'm upset over something and begin to shed tears, he gets very upset. He tells me he hates when a woman cries. So I bottle up my feelings with him, realizing he censors any emotionalism in me. Otherwise, he is a decent man. He just doesn't want to be bothered with emotional issues, such as feelings of loneliness, neediness, etc. My daughter doesn't appear to realize that at the age of seventy-two, I still have a need for affirmation, friendship, and understanding from someone my own age, which my ex-husband is.I don't want to spend my last years or months of life giving up this relationship as it means so much to me. I have quite a few health issues and my ex is always very supportive and understanding. All feedback in this forum will be welcome and greatly appreciated.