New friend comes over to pick up some books and mentions with a little gulp, that she is newly separated.
“I am so sorry” I say. “I had no idea”
It is 5 years for me in a matter of days so I figure everyone knows- besides I write about it- but just in case, I declare ” You know, I am divorced.”
You all know how I have come to love that moment. It is like I am the ambassador to the UN. The UN – marrieds, that is.
She is clearly shocked.
Why shocked, I always wonder. Does our happiness, peace, and stability look more married than single?
I tell her- it is okay , we are good and life is wonderful and that it had to be and we are all better off this way.
I turn around and my children are there.
How can they tiptoe at times like faeries and stomp like elephants at others?
I don’t hide anything from them but I do try to be sensitive to their version of life.
When new friend left I said to them- “Was that okay that I said that?”
‘Yes’ they both said smiling. ‘Because it is the truth.’