What is the most important thing you have ever lost?

I saw this question at Beautiful World (Bindi) and decided to take up the challenge of writing a post. The question was originally asked by David McMahon of authorblog and the time to answer might be past but here we go anyway:

I was a childbride, unpolished in character and not lacking in faults. I was sometimes bitchy, mean spirited, complaining. I was caustic at times and short tempered. I shouted at the kids and I procrastinated. I was disorganised and easily distracted from the task at hand. I didn't put my shoes away, I forgot to pay bills, I didn't cook enough food or I didn't put enough care in to it.
And I lost the respect of my husband.
He stopped talking to me and I lost companionship. I unwittingly undermined him with the kids and I lost a co-parent. He didn't want my company and refused to go out so I lost the opportunity to go places, to see things, to travel. I didn't have a willing companion for going to the movies, for eating out, for concerts or the theatre. I lost the richness of life. I lost joy. I lost intimacy. I lost love.
I lost the respect of my husband.