Not as expected

I heard from a friend recently.
She had gone out to lunch with a co-worker whose husband had recently asked for a divorce.
My friend had been through a divorce a couple of years ago.
She said it reminded her to give me a call.
I laughed and said "why did this make you think about me?"
She said that I was someone else whose married life had not turned out as expected and she figured she would touch base to see how I was doing.
I appreciated her call.
I didn't really have a good one-liner as a come-back.
She was right.
My life hadn't turned out as expected.

Can't judge a marriage by social media

A friend recently confided in me about all the trouble he is having in his marriage.
I had no idea.
His wife posts frequently on social media.
All the posts look perfect-in fact, they appear to be a perfect couple.
But all is not as it appears to be.
This was a good reminder that once again, "most everyone you know is fighting a battle of which you may know nothing about."

Broken hearts

Takotsubo syndrome is better known as broken heart syndrome.
It's felt to be a stressed induced cause of heart weakness-a cardiomyopathy.
Most recover but some succumb-die during the acute phase.


I also suspect many going through extreme stress/loss/grief have never been diagnosed.
We're the majority who just slowly recover.

Moving month

"Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tip toe if you must, but take the step." "And suddenly you know it's the time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings."

I move into a 2 bedroom apartment in a few weeks.
The sale of my home is finalized about a week later.
I ran into a neighbor yesterday who congratulated me on the sale of my home.
He also said, "you're also getting rid of the burden of home ownership."
I honestly had never thought of it that way but, after spending the last few weeks doing repairs, I had to laugh.
Trying to do everything solo that the two of us did to keep up our home has taken up most of my free time.
I realized the other day that I had not been to the beach in over a year.
It's only about an hour away.
That will hopefully be rectified soon.

Feeling stuck

1. Feeling stuck is a sign that it's time to make a change.
2. Even the tiniest possible step is progress.
3. You don't have to have it all figured out to move forward.
4. Nothing changes if nothing changes.
5. New beginings can feel like endings.
6. Beautiful things happen when you clear your life of all the negativity.
7. Believe what your heart tells you, not what others say.
8. Stop overthinking. Whatever happens, happens.
9. If it's meant to be, it will happen at the right time, at the right place, for the right reasons,.
10. Your best is yet to come.
(Author unknown)

God is in control.

Wonderful words

A neighbor recently sent me a card with a German quote.

She added the English translation: "Every encounter, that touches our soul, leaves behind a trail that never totally drifts away."

I know she was referring to the time she had spent with T.

I know many others felt the same way.

Alone again, unnaturally

Stopped by two New Years Eve get together's last night.
Each was really nice.
There were friends and acquaintances at both.
Everyone was there with their spouse, except for me.
I had a good time but left each party early.
I didn't leave because I was alone.
I left because it just, once again, hit home that I really missed having T by my side.
I know I'll be fine.
The New Year just tends to make us all even more contemplative than usual.

I know that.