I was riding in the car yesterday with one of my best
friends, Robin. We were headed to a
painting class, and it had been a couple of weeks since we could actually sit
down together and talk (even though I was driving at the time).
She asked me how it felt, turning 3o. I told her I was ready
for the next part of my life, and actually excited about the opportunities of
the future. It’s true that no one likes
to get older, but I think that I know I can have a much more solid decade than
my twenties. I am not saying I regret anything—everything that has happened
before brought me to where I am today.
For that I will be forever grateful.
We began talking about the man I am currently dating, and
she asked a lot of questions. I know she
is concerned about me, after dealing with two past relationships that she
deemed “toxic.” She is truly a great
friend that wants nothing more than for me to be happy. I know it hurts her when I am in situations
that aren’t the best for me. I wish
everyone could have friends like that.
We stopped at the Nissan plant to see Jeremy, so he could
take a look at my car. I know Robin was so excited to take a look at all of the
new cars. She began jabbering about how
quiet the electric car was, and how blind people would be hit by the cars. I
gave her a puzzled look (because I was clearly thinking about something else),
and she went on to tell me that the Prius had to add something to their cars
that made “noise” so blind people would know it was coming. I began to wonder why they didn’t attach a
jingle bell like people do with cats. Surely they would hear it coming…
My car has given me nothing but grief for the past year. I
am starting to believe that it is the last thing from my ended marriage long
ago, and there’s something in the universe that wants to keep giving me grief.
Like maybe I got off to easy getting out of the marriage, and now I have this
evil car that causes trouble just to make me suffer. It’s the kind of suffering I felt when I was
still married… Jeez
When we got back in the car, Robin gave me her evaluation of
Jeremy. True, they had only talked for about 20 minutes, but now she was
becoming pretty good at spotting trouble.
Even when she is making nonsensical comments, she is listening and
evaluating responses. She is watching
body language, and seeing how people talk to others. She’s like my real-life
Dr. Cal Lightman (which is from the show Lie to Me). One further plug for the
show: it’s one of my absolute favorites, and if you have never seen it, you
must!
I was a little nervous to hear what she had to say, because
she tells the truth and doesn’t worry about sugar coating it.
“He’s a little soft-spoken… but very confident… he was
always at ease… and could you have possibly found someone cuter? He’s adorable!”
Well, I know they didn’t interact for too long, but I guess
this is a good start…
She changed subjects and asked me about the project, since
my birthday is around the corner. I told her I was almost done, but had a few
projects that I didn’t get around to completing (since the ridiculous stuff got
in the way).
“That’s so nice how you can be so kind to yourself, giving
an extension and all that…”
I couldn’t tell if she was pulling a passive-aggressive
mother comment. I think she was just being funny. She went on to tell me that she thought the
project was neat, and wondered what my mind would do for all the rest of the
years of my life, since there weren’t a hundred things to occupy it.
I told her I was starting a new project, to complete by the
time I turn 40. This would be more of a long-term project involving classes,
life goals, travel, and embracing my family as they grow.
I told her I had a conversation with Jeremy, and he wanted
to help me complete some goals.
“Oh! That’s simply fantastic! This is quite the ending event
of Project One!”
I glanced over at her, and asked “what do you mean?”
She started laughing, “Don’t you see? All through this first
project, you learned to love yourself. You learned to deal with life, and you
were healing from all the grief you have been through. You even dealt with
getting back out there in dating, and realizing what you want and don’t want
now.”
Ok…
She went on “Now, at the end of this grand event, you found
someone that wants to continue the journey with you! That is more than
fantastic! Someone to plan things with, join you on your journey! You need this
at this point in your life, and I am beyond happy for you!!”
I guess she was right. I had been completed all of these
goals and learned a lot about myself. Now, I am standing her confident and
content in my future. It is quite fantastic that I’ve found someone that wants
to join me for the next part. I know we would all be so lucky to find this.
Lucky enough to find someone that sends a message to wish us
a good morning. Lucky enough to find someone that cares about our comfort and
safety, even if it might ruin his clothes. Lucky enough to find someone to talk
to for hours on end, and that you can’t wait to talk to again.
I will say this journey has been a success, and another one
is about to begin…