My Collection is Complete: I am done acquiring reptiles

[dakski]

YES! This! I think a lot of us who have gone through very difficult times have this blessed perspective. It's an absolutely wonderful place to be! I tell people that my goal is to live life without regrets, to be able to go to sleep at night knowing I tried my best to do the right thing, and to find the joy in each day, even if it's a simple joy like a good cup of coffee. I am a hospice nurse, and I see every day people of all ages who come to my care-- some live a shorter but joyful life, and some live to be over 100 but are very miserable or bitter or angry. It's not about quantity, it's about quality of life.

When I met my boyfriend he was an unemployed, newly recovering alcoholic, and nearly died in front of me just two months in from severe liver damage. Looks very bad on paper, but it just felt *right* to be with him. At that time I was not sure how much time we had, but I wanted to have us be together. I had come off a bad marriage and I could appreciate what a good man he was, and how strong our connection was, and that's all that mattered.

Well we've been together for 2.5 years now, he moved in 10 months ago, he has a good job again, never slipped up with his alcohol, and has recently been taken off the liver transplant list (for now), the kids love him, and we are going to get married sometime in the next year. And, at the age of 44, will be trying IVF (he has no kids of his own) and whether or not that works out, at least we won't regret not trying.

It's really nice to hear in your "voice" the love and respect you have for Katie. It sounds like you and she have found in each other a wonderful love and partnership. I wish you many, many happy moments together! Please post wedding pics!

Wow, FollowTheSun, that's a beautiful story.

Mazel Tov and I wish you both many years of happiness and health! However, I totally agree with quality over quantity.

I truly do love Katie. It's wonderful to have her in my life and we appreciate each other. She is a kind soul and we laugh together and do fun things, etc. We were meant to be. I believe that. It's karma as both of us made the wrong choice in our first marriage partners.

I believe in being loving and kind to everyone, but especially those closest to you. I am not perfect, and slip up sometimes, but I really try. Without going into detail, I grew up in an abusive home and vowed never to treat the people I love like that.

I have 5 rules. They don't make me perfect, they don't make a great fit for anyone or everyone, but I won't do these things and Katie appreciates that immensely.

I won't:

1. Lie
2. Cheat
3. Hit, kick, physically abuse, etc.
4. Call names
5. Put down

It goes both ways though. Not only does Katie treat me with the same love and respect, but she appreciates the way I treat her. That's a new one to me. I am used to people taking advantage of my love and kindness. I really adore Katie and am blessed to have her, but also that she appreciates me and thinks I am special.

Good luck on your journey!