Satisfaction, however fleeting and only two weeks between posts!

It was one of those times, when the planets are aligned, and all is right with the world...

We all come into marriage with these vignettes of ideal marriageosity tucked away in our hearts. Formed by tv or movies, parental example or in contrast to it, expectations major or minor, that are quite often unexpressed to the one most involved in the fulfillment or disappointment of them.

I think I may have shared that the middle (read: 10 years bracketed by the first 3 years, and the ones after), were very difficult in my marriage. As in, please God take me to Heaven, because I can't think of any other way to deal with this much unhappiness. Literally. We held on like shipwreck victims to the last piece of plywood in the ocean - sometimes paddling in the direction of land, sometimes paddling in different directions - getting nowhere, and sometimes just letting the waves carry us out of sheer exhaustion.

We made it to land eventually, collapsing on the beach and lying there until we could find the strength to begin rebuilding. Now, so grateful that neither one of us let go and slipped into the ocean. We are older, hopefully wiser, somewhat worse for wear, but determined as only those who have come through this can be.

So...a precious moment popped up last night without warning - subtle enough that I might have missed it. One of those vignettes...we cooked together. Even now I tear up over something so trivial to most. He grilled chicken and corn on the cob, I made the green beans, new potatoes, and iced tea. We ate together in the living room in peace (the kids are all out of town). Took care of the details - I put away the food and gathered up the trash, he did the dishes and we headed to bed where he rubbed my poor diabetic feet like he does every night. Such precious sweetness. So close to never happening. Today I am satisfied.