Mel Gibson's Divorce - is There a Lesson to Be Learned?

Say it isn't so, Mel. You and your wife of nearly 30 years are splitting? I thought of you as the kind of guy who sticks by his wife through thick and thin. Despite media maelstroms and your irrelevant "rants," you and Robyn seemed like you both built up your armor to survive even the harshest of battles and media frenzies.

My bubble burst when I read that you are getting divorced. You released the following statement Monday: "Throughout our marriage and separation we have always strived to maintain the privacy and integrity of our family and will continue to do so." Your wife Moore, 53, citing irreconcilable differences, is seeking joint physical and legal custody over your minor child, Thomas, 9, according to court papers.

Don't get me wrong. I realize that divorce happens to 50% of all married couples. However, for some reason, I thought you and Robyn had beaten the odds. Although quietly in the background, your devoted wife always seemed to be your backbone and number one support person. After seven beautiful children, Hannah, 28, twins Edward and Christian, 26, William, 24, Louis, 21, Milo, 19, and Thomas, 9, and almost three decades together, I thought you were one of those rare Hollywood couples who could actually make it in a world where divorce is as commonplace as a new take-out restaurant.

Is there a lesson to be learned here? Despite public appearances, no marriage is divorce proof. It takes continuous work to nurture and grow a marriage. We need to spend as much time as humanly possible on meeting the needs of our spouse and keeping the lines of communication open, especially during difficult times.

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