'Ah, the passage of time is swift. Let's see, where did we leave off last? Unknown. So Shawn and I got an amicable divorce.
I realize now that I was never meant to have a family, not in the traditional sense at any rate. I love my friends and the family I have left, is sufficient. I made peace with the war that raged inside me for 5 years.
I have new interests, skills, hobbies, friends, job, apartment, and someone I care a great deal for.
I had to process the divorce and deal with isolation with Covid, but now; I hardly recognize myself, I am healed, from the inside out, and I did it all on my own, it took like, what felt like forever; but I am whole once again.
I made so many mistakes in the last 5 years, but I know that I have made peace with that chapter and am ready for this new and exciting opportunity. I learned about myself and what kind of partner I am capable of being and want to be, and what I want in a partner going forward. Even if I end up alone, I am really ok with that. I like this new me, I am proud of myself, and what I accomplished without any help from anyone, seriously the world was closed, it was curl up and die or thrive, I chose to thrive.
I am making healthy decisions now, and learned what boundaries are for, and I live by that. My past still has a habit of showing up in the aisles of Hobby Lobby or out at Lakeside, both of my exes were represented in force Saturday night, all their coworkers, right next to each other at opposite tables, rolling my eyes as I sit here, but instead of being nostalgic, I was laughing at the Fate's, because earlier that day I ran into the Ex and immediately engaged evasive maneuvers, just to avoid the awkward conversation moment for us both.
My love interest is unlike any man I've ever had the pleasure of encountering. The way I feel in his presence, or even just when I think about him, I have this euphoric feeling I cannot explain. He could be reading the instruction manual and I would be in his thrall.
He's everything I've ever wanted, and more. I couldn't have written a better man in character form in a story. He's my dream come to life, and all I see is him. First person I think of in the morning, and the last person I think about at night.
I'm in perfect health, and mentally clear, and my heart is healed and whole and open to new adventures, and this new love and with my new and healthy friendships; I feel hopeful that even without my own family, I can still have a full and happy life.
I don’t care who you vote for, just please vote. If you are a woman, if you are a minority, we have no excuse not to vote. Women and minorities have died for us to have the right to vote; don’t let their sacrifice be in vain. Or, as a great man said, “Don’t boo, vote”!
If you say you’re proud to be an American, and that you love to live in a democracy, and you salute your flag and you pledge allegiance to it and you hold that constitution and say I have a right to… then prove it.
Republican, Democrat, Green party independent let’s show up at the polls this year and support whoever it is that represents you and your morals and values and principles the most. #ProveIt #AmericanPride #DontVoteDontComplain #MakeADifference
Men and women are dying on the battlefield even as we speak today fighting for our rights for freedom and democracy in a country that will fight for your right to pray to your God, love your partner, and live in a free society and we are able to protest without being afraid of repercussions and to read a Bible without fear of persecution.
So I implore you, if you know someone who isn’t registered to vote help them, if someone isn’t able to get to the polls because of transportation; volunteer to drive them, if you really mean what you say, prove it.
Fresh whipped cream and coarse sea salt for garnish
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Crush the crackers finely, but not to dust. You can use a food processor or your hands. Add the sugar, then knead in the butter until the crumbs hold together like dough. Press into an 8-inch pie pan. Chill for 15 minutes, then bake for 18 minutes or until the crust colors a little.
While the crust is cooling (it doesn't need to be cold), beat the egg yolks into the milk, then beat in the citrus juice. It is important to completely combine these ingredients. Pour into the shell and bake for 16 minutes until the filling has set. The pie needs to be completely cold to be sliced. Serve with fresh whipped cream and a sprinkling of sea salt.
I heard an old flame of mine had two heart attacks at 39, and it really did something to me. I think that coming to terms with the fact that I'll never have my own family has done something to me, forever changed. So I will just be rich and travel I guess? I know now that I love deeply, truly, and in an epic way. It is was Jane that said, "It is not in my nature to love my friends by halves", that is fact.
