Thank you, everyone! You have been able to put into words what I am feeling, but was not able to articulate even for myself...so that helps me a lot.
KE, thanks for the check on my motivation. No, I am definitely NOT trying to punish him. This is 100% pure self-preservation and as PrayingMama said, I feel like I'm giving my inner wellspring time to renew. I just need a vacation from him. I know he doesn't see how very selfish he is being...I know that aside from the opportunity to manipulate me he just wants to hear his mother's voice and her soothing words. He wants to soften this place where he's found himself.
I wonder if he sees how very, very far he's fallen just in the last 6 months? Do you think they even see it?