Remember the saying life happens when you’re making other plans?
So true.
I have mentally blogged many times in the past month. So many little life episodes that I have subvocalized as if I had a tiny, invisible stenographer sitting on my shoulder. Alas, I do not, and as our nursing mantra goes: if it’s not written, it’s not done.
A lot has happened.
We had another anniversary, 35 if we go strictly by the calendar. That’s a freakishly long time. I remember seeing a documentary about George Harrison after his death. His wife of 23 years was asked how you make a long marriage. Her answer was striking and it has stayed with me. It’s simple, she said, you don’t get divorced.
So, so true. In 35 years you collect a lot of reasons to get divorced over.
But you also collect, or can collect, many reasons to stay together.
This year we celebrated by going to D. C. I’d always wanted to go, just to soak up the history. The place is so alive, you can inhale the adrenalin. It has a vitality that defies explanation or description. In short, we are going back.
We decided to drive, so that gave us four full days in enclosed proximity. If anything is going to drive you batty in regards to another person that will certainly do it. But the whole trip left us with nothing more than pleasant memories.
Except for one other thing. Within five days of our return my husband was complaining of UTI symptoms. I confess my initial reaction was: Been there, done that. But his being a man meant that his symptoms were far more complicated and unendurable than anything women might go through.
Of course.
We saw a kindly urologist. I’ve rarely run across a doctor so personable and I’ve run into many. Along with giving him some prescriptions, he suggested we buy a couple of books. One, he said, is called How Not to Die by Michael Greger.
I admit I laughed when he mentioned the title. Advice on how not to die seems kind of facetious. Snake oil, anyone? I mean, does anyone live forever? Does anyone want to?
Its subtitle, however, is: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease. And I am nothing if not a sucker for anything that has been scientifically proven. So we shall see what it’s all about when I delve into it, because I know he won’t. He’s symptom-free now so that means it’s all so yesterday.
The book will have to wait its turn, though. Right now I’m knee-deep into the Konmari Method of tidying. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. Her initial advice: “Start by discarding, all at once, intensely and completely.” And she advocates keeping only the things that “spark joy.”
Hmm . . . . That reminds me of the woman who said she got rid of 175 pounds all at once.
She got a divorce.
Me among the cherry blossoms
Beating Rheumatoid Arthritis 
Happy anniversary! What a wonderful trip you had (although I’m sorry that your husband wound up ill afterward). I’ve been married 35 years as well, although not to the same man! You’d have to add up all my husbands to come up with that number! ha! It’s great that you’re feeling well enough to travel and are actually out taking advantage of the spring weather. So great to hear from you.
Hi, Carla. Thanks, I figured I’d stop after number 2! it was a fun trip, not so fun afterwards, but only a temporary setback. We loved the area, just beautiful. Be well.
Irma, I read this today during a break in my busy day and it put and big smile on my face. As your posts always do. You have wisdom, sarcasm, poignancy and make me want to be your gal pal, and ll in the same post. Happy anniversary. I will never see 35 years no matter how many times I try. It’s quite a milestone!
Well, thank you, Leigh. Sometimes you just have to close your eyes or look the other way. Or be like Scarlett O’Hara and think about it tomorrow. And then when tomorrow comes, not. I will say that raising the kids made the years fly by. Now it’s my turn to be pampered. There’s a fine art to the virtue of selfishness, even if it’s learned late! Take care.
Happy Anniversary. I hope you had marvellous travels despite the “bump”in the road. Love the picture of you beneath the blossoms. The cherry blossoms in Vancouver started early this spring, but there are still some pink beauties hanging on. Wishing you (and your hubby) well. X
Thanks, J. I’d heard so much about the cherry blossoms, they were one of the main things I wanted to see. I never imagined them to be so beautiful. We had totally gorgeous weather. The whole trip was mellow and relaxing, and we weren’t left feeling like we needed a vacation to recover from our vacation! Hope you are well.
Happy belated anniversary! That photo is stunning! Interesting book the doctor suggested..Im currently reading The Tibetan Book if Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche
Thank you, Oliana. My husband was trying out his new toy, a digital camera. It’s beautiful in D.C. At least it was in March! I’ve heard of that book. I will have to check it out. Be well.
I bought it online at Amazon. I made a mistake the first time and got the hard copy, original edition…(((drumroll)))) in chinese…lol so I gave it to a friend and got the English edition. Some counsellors at work say they had to read it in their first year college…It is already filled with highliths and to be revisited many many times.