Grateful

Not every moment of my life has been marvelous, nor gone according to whatever plans I might have imagined when I was young.

I made a good course correction by getting divorced, albeit later than I should have, after a long period spent underground.

Strangely, most of the time since I left my marriage has been spent dating women who took the path I often wished that I had. In their 20s, they were not rushing, had their eyes open, were cautious, and were waiting for the right person and the right moment.

No path is perfect. They have regrets, too. They wish to be rooted, to have a family and home to call their own, to love and to be loved. In their 30s now, some have just started that part of their life, others continue to wait.

I must appreciate what I have, despite the mistakes and regrets. And I must offer solace to others when they feel their path hasn't been the one they wanted. We may not have shared the exact path, but we all look back and wonder why what could have been never was, and need to be reminded of what we do have despite that.