Password does not match username

. . . . . .you know, sometimes I wonder what the heck I did to deserve such an awesome life. I promise you, it's nothing I remember -- that's for darn sure!

I was reading a friend's blog. She and I used to be close when our kids were little. Heck, Tim & I used to joke that she was his "other" wife. Well, she and her hubby are getting a divorce. That's not shocking news actually, they've toyed with this before, but always resolved to stay together. It just makes me sad. They are such a nice family. Yes, of course, I knew there were problems, frankly I picked them as the type to have dad live in one part of the house and mom in another "for the sake of the kids" rather than divorce -- they always maintained their friendship even when there were rough patches. No one cheated, they just grew in vastly different directions -- and not like one became a crackhead or anything, they are both really fine grownups -- just grownups who have their lives pointed in different, but perfectly acceptable, directions. It hit me when I used the wrong password to login today, "password does not match username" describes them. It used to work, but they don't fit together anymore.

And that brings me back to the question, how the heck did I get so lucky? I don't believe in soulmates -- I know, that is a shocking revelation for such a happy-go-lucky-romantic such as myself. But I really do not believe that there is one person out there meant for each of us. I think there are people who are willing to give 100 +% to making a marraige work, and if you are one of those people and get lucky enough to marry one of those people - barring any dealbreaking activities (the 3 A's as Dr. Laura says: alcohol, abuse, affair) you will have a successful marriage. Turns out, I am one of those, and so is Tim.

And maybe it also comes down to what you call a "successful marraige"? We are CONTENT. Not blissfully, lustfully hurtling through our days. But, gently savoring them and appreciating that we have a family, food on our table, a roof over our heads and beds to sleep in. Sure we play the "If we win the lottory" imagination game, and mentally lavish cars, furniture, and luxeries on ourselves and loved ones. But reality is, slowly, we make the roof and beds better, paint rooms in the home, upgrade appliances that die. At the end of the day, it is our nest and we feel comfortable there -- contentment cancells out restlessness, and restlessness makes you keep looking and searching for more. Restlessness might be the root of "I'll be happy when ________" fill in the blank. Well, contentment is when you look around and say, today I am fine, I am loved and for that I am humbled, suprised and so very grateful.