2023 – Five Lessons I Learned
Looking back on the most significant year I’ve lived
1. How to leave someone
The year started out on a low — let’s face it. I left my life partner of 22 years. Twenty-two years of companionship, shared parenting, and laughing at the same things. Getting angry at politicians, people, and situations and sharing every value known to man. And loving her. Admiring the way she handled most situations with kindness and wisdom. Getting a kick out of her quirks and the way she did the same thing over and over again. We just worked. Until we didn’t.
We didn’t because we stopped having sex 10 years into that 22 years. Or decent sex anyway it’s hard to remember. And as our sex life drained away, so did our love life. As we left passion behind, resentment crept in. Why did she always do the same things? Watch the same sports shows, eat the same food, or not want any change? I started carving out my own life without her companionship. And I started cheating.
And exactly one year ago I left. I had an apartment ready. I couldn’t leave fast enough. I wanted rid of her like a clinging vine that was traveling up to snake its way around my neck. I had so much sex in my new space. I made lots of noise with my lovers — I was like a kid in a toy store.
