The Art of Marriage.

Blue skies with a few clouds.

Have you ever noticed that the weather report seems to accent the negative? It will begin with "Cloudy..." or "Chance of rain..." Why can't they say, "Sunny with..." or "Clear skies..." Even with the weather, to get someone's attention, it takes the negative to get them to listen. 

This morning in my meditation I came across this: "The Art of Marriage is in maintaining equilibrium through the various changes and adjustments to life together." I had to stop and ponder those words. 

The Art of Marriage, the phrase alone stabbed me in the heart. Was I doing all that I could to keep us together? Am I painting with too dark of colors? Is what I'm doing just a facade? Then I remember you and your comments that I'm doing a great job and to keep it up. 

I know that the windows of opportunity to improve my marriage are few and hard to open. So my job now is to make sure those window are kept clean, and can be opened to allow fresh air into the room. You would think having a successful marriage at this point in time would be easy, it is not. 

There is loneliness that only those of us who share this road together can understand. We are few, and we are banding together in places like this, for our sharing of the joys and sorrows of caring for our loved ones. The spouse, the parent, the life long friend that we have with us today isn't the one we knew growing together. 

When we are alone, in our closet, our private place, our fortress of solitude, we let our guard down, and allow that sorrow to sweep over us, and we let out our sorrow and cry. Not everyday, not all the time, just when the pain gets to the point of erupting and exploding all over everyone and everything, the need is then. To release the pressure, for we have to face it again, tomorrow. 

Thursday

I left out a tidbit from Wednesday. After our walk about, we headed for McDonald's for lunch. We haven't done that in such a long time and what a treat it was. Sweetie had her usual small burger with ketchup and mustard, I got a McRib! Messy, sloppy, and delicious. Sweetie gobbled hers right down, and we had a wonderful lunch. 

Back to Thursday morning. It started the normal way, getting her up a bit earlier because we had to be at the church by 10. 

The past few mornings, she doesn't seem to know me as much these days. It take some time for her happy medicine to kick in, and then the fog lifts and she knows me. 

Soon, breakfast is over and I'm busy getting myself ready to go. As she sits, I work. Dishes, make the bed, brush my teeth, and so on. 

At the Bible study, we are coming to the end of it. He is asking for suggestion as to what the next study should be on? I don't have any ideas, so I'll let the group make the decision. 

Went and played golf. It was breezy, and Sweetie did well. There are days when she is such a trooper. Being brave, staying with me while I continue to make bad shots mixed in with some good shots. My putting was so poor yesterday, I didn't even finish the 9th hole. Tomorrow is another day. 

Got home, and that was that. We stayed in for the rest of the day. Sweetie was in a nesting mood, and I let her be that way. 

After dinner, we went to a meeting, home and to bed. Finished the day cuddling, holding hands, and love flowed over us. 

Drove over the Bridge of Happiness today. I do believe it was the first bridge we cross while on these travels down the Road to Dementia Town. To see the gap between the ends of the bridge, to hear the tires sing along the road, and feel like a bird, floating in air. After that it was easy to Keep Our Shiny Side Up. C'ya, Luv Ya, and God Bless.   Arthur.