August 24th, My Day to Remember

Today would have been my 58th wedding anniversary. It's a day I will always remember. We were so young and not very worldly, but life is a journey and we managed just fine. We can't change anything, but we can learn to live with it. I learned something important along the way. From 1968 until 2021 was my book of life. It was a great book. There were some wonderful chapters and some sad times. I am very happy my book was written during this time frame. It was without all the outside influences the young people of today have to face. Granted they have a smaller world that we had no idea about, but we weren't constantly on the treadmill of life. It was a sweet and calmer time.

Now I am in my sequel. It is a much different life book from the first one we wrote. Five years ago it began and has been a little slow at getting to the good part. I have met people who are on their own journeys and are writing their own books of life. I have found that some who lost their long time spouse jump back in before they are ready. These people haven't grieved and are constantly searching for their old life back. Others hide the rest of their life, but most try to establish a new normal. The old book of life can be taken out and read occasionally. A new book can't replace this book, but it can be a good book. I was under the assumption that this new book would be calm and an easy read. Nothing is further from the truth. I still have to work through stuff everyday. Some people are lucky enough to find another friend or partner to navigate life's challenges, while others are on their own. Either way it's all good. 

I had to buy a refrigerator recently, get an oil change, find people to help me out with some homeowner challenges and hope every decision I make doesn't create more problems. Those are things none of us can predict. Some days I am very sad and lonely and other days I am so grateful for the life my first book provided. 

How my sequel ends is a mystery. It may be short book or long and interesting. Some of that is up to me and some depends on who or what shows up to my story.  My challenge is to remain engaged and not revert to my chair and the television. My needs are simple but I still have to remain inquisitive about the world around me.