Happily Ever After

I believe in happily ever after. No I’m not the whole rainbows and unicorns type of person, but I do believe in a loving relationship that can stand the test of time. I know it can happen because I’ve seen it in action. My grandparents have been married for over 60 years. They treat each other with respect and love, and they’ve built a loving home and an enormous, successful and happy family. My grandparent’s house is filled with joy, and has always been one of those touchstones in my life that I can go back to when I’m stressed or unhappy. My grandfather and grandmother are true role models for hard work, respect, love and compassion, and I can’t think of two people that I’d rather be like. I don’t always succeed in being that kind of person, but I’m trying.

Part of the reason I wanted to buy the house I have is because it reminds me of my grandparents house, which like mine is over 100 years old. I want to build for myself the kind of life that they created… the life that created me. That’s a legacy I’d like to pass on. I think that’s part of the reason that I get so bent out of shape when people are trespassing, stealing things, dealing drugs in front of my house, having sex in my yard. They’re intruding on the dream I’m trying to build, and it makes me upset that people are bringing such ugliness into something beautiful I want to create. I’m not going to give up on this house, no matter what, because it represents something important to me. I may never have a 60th wedding anniversary, but if I can only achieve some small part of that, it will be enough for me.

I’ve been thinking about my grandparents since I talked to my friend Lisa on the phone last night. I keep asking myself how they would deal with the situation I’m dealing with. Both of my grandparents are strong people, and neither of them are the type of people to roll over and play dead when faced with a confrontation. I can’t help but continue to think that I’m doing the right thing.