4th of July

Today I partied with the oldest group in the church. They have a standing 2:00 on the 4th party. So I was at work but it didn't really feel like work. I love this church and I love these people. We played Bingo using Texas shaped pasta for our markers. We had a competition to unscramble a list of words related to 4th of July. And, of course, we ate.

Someone asked where the girls were. At dad's. Then someone else said something about it being a sad holiday for me. Not really. This is the 10th 4th of July since separation. I think the girls have been with me 2 or 3 times on the 4th. This is not new. I can remember when I was very sad and it was hard. Now it is just part of the reality that counts as "normal." There is a peaceful grace for me in that.

That conversation at the party and another blogger's recent posts have made me more reflective than usual on the 4th of July about what happened 10 years ago. It was 2 1/2 years from separation to divorce. So, technically, the marriage lasted 10 years but in reality I have now been unpaired longer than I was paired.

And that, too, is not such a big deal. Funny how the turn of a conversation can bring such reflection.

And for the other blogger, the prayers that come from a soul that recognizes the path. Peace be with you.