It's strange when you seperate from a spouse because initially you feel so alone and isolated from everyone. Even if you have a strong support system, you really don't think they can possibly understand what you are going thru and for the most part that is probably true. And as time goes by you find yourself seeking sources to increase your knowledge base, if for nothing else, just to know what to expect in the coming weeks, months and years.
It seems that lately friends of mine are seperating like I have just set the newest trend. That suddenly single and divorcing is the new black and all the cool people are doing it. In the last couple of months I have had three friends contact me to talk about their seperation. People that I didn't know were even on that path in their relationship. And I am more than happy to be their shoulder to cry on or their pillar of support. I have ridden the hardest part of the wave and hope that even the slightest amount of my experience can make their path easier.
This apparent trend also makes me wonder a couple of things. (A) Is our society too quick to walk away from a relationship when things aren't easy? and (B) What is our society going to look like when I'm a senior citizen. Will there be marriages that have stood the test of time and reached those mile stones of 50 and 60 years? And if so, will those relationships seem abnormal and sacred? Will anyone have only been married once? Will people even still get married?
This apparent trend also makes me wonder a couple of things. (A) Is our society too quick to walk away from a relationship when things aren't easy? and (B) What is our society going to look like when I'm a senior citizen. Will there be marriages that have stood the test of time and reached those mile stones of 50 and 60 years? And if so, will those relationships seem abnormal and sacred? Will anyone have only been married once? Will people even still get married?
I know everyone's path is different. I understand pain. And I believe that everyone should truly be happy, but I also wonder if there are a lot of people out there who are just giving up because sometimes that is easier than doing the work to stay together. Marriage is not easy, but I think getting back to the basics of the relationship is even harder once one person has already let go.
1 comment:
Nearly 3 years ago Andy and I hit a really bad patch in our relationship, ironically we were only just approaching our 3rd anniversary. It was a horrendous time and honestly, if we hadn't been married, I don't think I could have seen it through. Luckily we were, and we managed to make it through to the other side and are a-ok again. Marriage is very serious business to me - I do think a lot of people give up too easily, or better yet, don't take it seriously enough to begin with - it becomes more about the 'wedding' and not the marriage. Don't knock yourself too hard though Jeff, because you had to be true to you.
Post a Comment