Musings on a Small Life

I took the afternoon off yesterday, after my dental, so headed home early. The driver was a fairly new one, not someone I see often, though we have chatted, as passengers and drivers often do, over the Christmas holidays when he was filling in on my usual run. I suppose he's a nice enough looking man, around my age, though I'm not attracted to him, don't even know his name or current marital status. Nor do I want to know. I do know he was divorced several years ago, that he has two daughters (and fur kids), that one of his daughters went with the mom, the other stayed with him. I also know that the mother passed away a year ago this past spring--cancer--and that the girls have had a tough time since, understandably. I do know that he got choked up telling me something one of his daughter's said shortly after the mom died, scared that he (her dad) would leave them too. The idea of what he represents--a male who has known deep loss and suffering, who actually isn't ...

I had a long conversation last night with a very dear friend who is going through a rough marital time. Oh, haven't so many of us been there? I can't advise her on what path is right for her and her husband, only they can choose that, of course. But that call left me thinking about so many things.... Does anyone know a man who is so secure that he can understand and respect his partner's deep and abiding love for her four-legged companions and not feel sleighted? No, really. I can't think of any male off the top of my head. Most men I've encountered are emotionally stunted, insecure, needy, shallow and selfish. I'm sure there are some males on this planet not like that; I've just not met them, having lived a small and sheltered life. I didn't have animals when my ex and I were together, though sometimes I thought about it, wanted it. I don't think, if I remember correctly, he wanted to have any additional ties with me. Nothing jointly held, I mean. B...

Never mind why this topic came up today, it just did. Here's what I think. The most important relationship you have in your life is with your Higher Self. Some people perceive that as "god," and that's fine. Second to that, I believe the most important relationship you have is with your mate/partner. I can hear parents everywhere saying that's not true, that the most important person in their lives is their child or children. That's fair--when the children are dependent and still at home. Though, frankly, if the parent (either mother or father) has neglected their relationship with their spouse/partner for the duration, in favour of the children, they're going to find themselves with a stranger by the time the kids are leaving home. If not sooner. And divorced or certainly living emotionally separate lives. Children do what they are supposed to do: grow up and move on, both physically and emotionally. They do not have an obligation to be the parents' b...