Untying the knot

At first glance my little angel, Nicole, looks like she is balancing on one toe or that she is ready to lift off, both impossible feats. If you look closer, you will see the chains. She was lying on her tummy swinging at the park.

Lots of people believe in coincidence. I believe in angels and simply accept that unexplained things happen when you least expect them. Coincidence/angels...call it what you will.

I was browsing the bookshelves at Goodwill when I came across Chicken Soup for the Soul, Divorce and Recovery. I picked it up, reconsidered and put it back down. I walked away wishing that I could be assured that someone would buy that book.

As I turned, a young woman picked up the book and read the back blurbs.

I asked, "Are you going to buy that book?"

"Yes," she said with sadness in her voice. "I am going through a divorce right now and I need all the help I can get. Maybe this will do me some good."

I said, "May I sign it for you? My story is the last one in this book."

Write Your Relationship in Pencil, is about the indelible marks we leave behind when we toss out unkind remarks.

I autographed the book and she said, "Well,this is just unbelievable!"

Not to me. Everything happens for a reason. I am so happy that this young woman will hopefully benefit from reading my story.

We writers never know HOW our words will touch others. But at least this time, I was able to see WHO they would affect. A friend once told me that my story should be a primer for divorce.

Rehab

Another snow day, no school. I know I should be writing, but instead I intend to finish a book my daughter gave me, Open House, by Elizabeth Berg. I have been snickering out loud at parts, especially when the main character, whose husband just walked out on her decides to get even. She charges a small fortune at Tiffany's. You know, there's an old saying, break my heart, I'll break your bank.

Many-many years ago when I was going through marital discord, I decided to punish him by spending a great deal of money on myself. We had just completely remodeled the kitchen, floor to ceiling. He bought a new fridge-freezer that stood side by side closer than we ever did, and a new range for me to roam. I hung shelves longer than our love and displayed my teacher mugs with cliche's inscribed on them. Behind the sink, I sunk fake bricks into thick adhesive and left the last one askew, like our life.

Being the practical person that I am, I drove to Sears and bought myself a $300.00 heavy-as-me microwave (that's how long ago it was; they were new on the market) and a set of ceramic canisters that cost an exorbitant $40.00. By the time the Sears charge came due, the lawyer was dividing the debts, and we ended up splitting the charges. :-(

Neither of us were substance abusers, but I joke, rehab didn't work!

Our son and daughter have each blessed us with a boy and a girl, and the youngest, Nicole, three, is Nana's girl! When they were small I told each of them that the stick figures on my sweatshirt were them and their sibling. Nicole is convinced.
"This one's ME! and that's my brudder!"