Wow, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the 11th year of the century.
That’s quite a compelling thing.
I think of all those men and women who gave their lives so that I could experience mine with complete with freedom of speech and action.
And I count my blessings.
But I do that last bit every day when I think of how lucky I am.
Fortunate to have an ex who is not too much of an ogre and wants to try to work things out with equanimity, financially – if not emotionally.
Sure, there could have been more money in the pot if some of the less scrupulous businessmen of this world had not been involved.
But it is what it is and could have been so much worse.
I have healthy children who seem to be making lives for themselves and who still hold me with affection, despite the fact that I deserted them.
And I have Ruf.
I watched The Graduate again recently. And there is that scene at the end where Benjamin is banging on the glass wall calling Elaine’s name as she marries someone else.
I couldn’t help but wonder if Ruf would do that for me… and the answer is that I know he would. Know that he would be desperately upset if anything were to break us up.
When I talked to him on the phone the following morning, he agreed forcefully that he would fight to keep me, no matter how incongruous it made him look.
I have a man who loves me and wants to build a life with me, despite the fact that we live 200 miles apart.
Just counting our blessings and enjoying every moment that we have together to the full – even if it’s only together through the connection of a telephone or a computer.
Rejoicing because we have that, where so many couples in wars gone by did not. They had only uncertainty and unreliable communication and concern for the safety of that significant other.
And yet for most of those couples who came safely through, that sense of possible loss translated into a marriage that would go on to last for five or more decades.
Care and concern and appreciation are at the forefront of how to make long distance relationships work.
Joanna, it has been awhile since we communicated and this has nothing to do with your post, but I wanted you to know you’re on my list: http://www.dykedecade.com/2011/11/read-me.html
Ah yes, Benjamin; the lucky b’stard. Not only had his cake and ate it but he lapped up the cherry on top and all the sprinkles too!
On a more sombre note. We are good at remembrance, less good at repairing the broken minds which don’t yet appear to be broken. Wonder if Tony Blair ever thinks about them. Silly me, of course he doesn’t!
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