Do you – yes, perhaps as a teenager, love or have a belief in love, as so important – we married young … and over the years I've come to realise 'what is love'?
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| A globe to see where in the world, with books to open our eyes ... |
The time has perhaps come for me to move on … my husband will be fine – it'll be a shock initially, but our families are around, his friends are there, and the kids will adjust …
I may be travelling and living independently – but I need a life.
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| African Daisy - perhaps see Africa in all its glory |
The break has to be made … over 20 years is a good run, isn't it … I've been itching to have a break from family and husband-life … so now I must make it happen … Music May Be the Food of Love … but my Boots are Made for Walking …
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| I think hiking boots would be a better choice! |
Catch Me When You Can … I won't be far away … just a-travelling to places, seeing life, expanding my horizons … and who knows giving me that chance of love once again … yet independent people can manage being in love with life … love would be wonderful, but so is peace of mind and independent living …
Perhaps this book will inspire my travels ...
If Music Be the Food of Love ...
"Journey through time to relive the passion and romance of three ailing women whose lives were forever altered through the powerful presence of music, opening gateways to true love."
WEP/IWSG – see here for entry parameters and contributors … everyone welcome!
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
56 comments:
Living alone would not be much fun either, so I would try and find a compromise, if it was possible. Could you spend the three months of summer wandering around on exotic holidays by yourself, and 9 months each year living "normally"?
Thanks Hels - this is just a story ... nothing to do with me. I live alone and have done for 'a while' quite happily ... cheers Hilary
Hari OM
Oh, imagine the adventure! Nice take on the prompt, Hilary. YAM xx
At first, I thought this was real. I kept looking at the title of your post and thinking, "what...I think this is the prompt for WEP." lol The fact that it read as though it could've been real says a lot. Well done on the prompt.
Well done! Love and people can change and you've captured that so well!
Getting "... in love with life..." - what a wonderful idea. Sometimes, the only way to find yourself is to break the old ties.
I love your reflection and the direction in which you went with this piece.
Such a great take on the prompt, Hilary!
Of course these boots are made for walking (although I had to laugh at your little comment under the image). Your piece reflects accurately how many women feel if they haven't allowed themselves, or been allowed, to explore on their own.
I doubt that even Nancy Sinatra recommends those boots for walking any more, after all she is 81 now.
@ Yam – yes … wouldn't it be lovely to travel again …
@ Chrys – no … not me! But appreciate you thought it just might be … also I've no children …
@ Jemi – thank you … many youngsters of my age have stayed the course, which is great – though also I know many haven't …
@ Olga - “we need to get in love with life” and keep it frothing away – love can come at any time … but we need to be alive to enjoy it …
@ Michelle – thank you … each of us has to go our own way – and love doesn't necessarily come along, or if it does … it doesn't last …
@ Kalpana – those boots most definitely weren't meant for walking – but they make a great pic … and thank you – we can flounder in the background, or move on as I did in another life …
@ John – I definitely realised those boots wouldn't do the trick … just loved the image – yes I'd forgotten she is over 80 now … life does move on doesn't it!
Cheers to you all – thanks for coming by and enjoying my take - Hilary
The way that you have written this, Hilary, could lead people to conclude that it is biographical, but I know it's not. Those boots present quite the image and I am sure I am not the only male whose thoughts are on matters other than walking when I see them! You do have a way of collecting your thoughts and expressing them in ways most of us would never dream of. The twists and turns of your mind are ever interesting. Hugs from Ontario. David
Very well summed up, Hilary, I wish I had some of this knowledge about life when I entered an early marriage. Kind regards, Carole.
Thank you as always for your kind encouragement, Hilary.
"Music May Be the Food of Love … but my Boots are Made for Walking." Such a fun line! ☺ It's too bad the husband was a stick in the mud. Had he been more adventurous, they could have explored the world together. I enjoyed your take on the prompt, Hilary!
This made me happy with my own life choices. I could think of nothing worse than being 81 and having regrets.
Did not expect that angle - wow!
@ David - I gather my writing can draw people into thinking I'm writing about my life ... but as you well know - it's not. Yes - I knew those "Boots are Made for Walking" would amuse ... rather like 'keeping your hat on' ... but I'll keep my backstory to myself ... sorry! Just very happy people enjoy the posts and their thoughts on the entry!
@ Carole - thanks ... good to see you - I was fortunate I could get out and so glad I did. I appreciate your time now with your husband - not easy for you. Good luck and keep going ... especially with your story-writing ...
@ Debbie - thank you ... just came to me. Yes, we often learn too late, or some people can't make a way of it ... and some adapt and live life to the full ...
@ Inger - yes, you've had to make some challenging decisions along the way - I admire you ... taking to the new country and selecting wisely, after a change or two ... and am so glad you you're where you are now ... and don't have regrets ...
@ Alex - thank you so much ... it was an easy write - it is fantasy after all ...
Cheers to you all - thanks so much for supporting me - Hilary
Being in love with life sounds wonderful! Sometimes we need a change. I also loved the comment about hiking boots being a better choice for walking.
OK, I didn't really read the blog title and thought you were planning a real-life change of course. And 20 years is probably a good run, but it's amazing how time flies. Ali & I have now clocked over 30!
That was an interesting read and I am sure some people can relate even if it was fantasy.
Glad to hear this is a story. It sounds so real. So many people do end up in that situation. I imagine that's some of the thoughts they have.
It took me a while to see your tongue in your cheek, Hilary! Bravo for a post well-done!
An original and fun take on the prompt. Loved the line 'music may be the food of love but my boots are made for walking.'
Enjoyed the flash - the love of travelling/exploring resonated!
@ Laura - yes, I always enjoy seeing people who are happily in love - but again I think we should be allowed to move on. Yes any other form of good shoe would be better for 'a-walkin in than those boots' ...
@ Ian - congratulations on your 30 years ... nope I'm not about to get up and go ... done it twice, that's sufficient ... I'll make my life happy here ...
@ Truedessa - thank you - I'm just glad it read through like a very short story ...
@ Liz - yes, life can change and mine certainly has ... but we need to live for ourselves - which I'm doing ...
@ Jacqui - thank you ... yes it was 'tongue in cheek' - good description on my take ...
@ Nila - thank you ... I found the book, which will arrive this week and so I look forward to reading it. You've travelled a great deal too - so understand my feelings ... I'm not the greatest explorer or traveller for that matter - just been lucky to have done what I've done and enjoyed seeing the places I've managed to get to ...
Thanks to you all for commenting and enjoying my take on a version of 'All You Need is Love' - cheers Hilary
Great take on the prompt, Hilary! Starting a new chapter (in various ways) is a freeing experience.
The single life for me! My boots are almost worn out from walking, they've been my constant companion on every trip I've taken abroad for many a year!
After a double-take I really enjoyed this - great take on the prompt.
And being single is a good choice most of the time. Just really irritating when you need a hand to put some flat-pack furniture together....
:D
A short but VERY high impact post! I once read about a film star (possibly Woody Allen) who lived in a separate house from his wife. I thought that would have a lot of attraction - but I couldn't do it!
Freedom can be illusory. 🤔
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s immediately insipid Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
My husband and I have ideal houses in our local area - his is on one side of the street and mine's on the other (luckily). We already have plans for a pulley system across the road so he can cook my dinner and send it across. Just got to wait for the lottery win. But in the meantime, it's a good job we like each other 🤣
At first I had to really think - "now wait a minute....this is a story, right?" Good job and now I have "These boots were made for walking" tune in my head. Darn you!
What a mature and intelligent short story about what many women must feel. At first I thought it might be you but it is not. We forget how great it is to be on one's own. It can be so very difficult at first and scary but once you have that independence, you never look back. I think you touched on a lot here and I think if the number of older ladies who came out of their shell once the hubby died.
@ Elizabeth - thanks ... don't know if you've used this sort of thing in one of your cozy mysteries? But suspect I might have given you an idea ...
@ Keith - I don't go looking ... but always happy with friends ... and I know you walk your boots to visit lots of interesting places - lucky them and you!
@ Jemima - yup ... not me ... oh occasionally I'll draw on people to help - as you say flat-pack furniture ...
@ Bazza - thank you ... there are the wealthy who live in separate houses - suits some I suppose, but I see Annalisa, one of our fellow bloggers, does apparently too ... not sure what I'd do if I wanted to live separately and had the money to do it. So I'm very happy to read you both are happy living under one roof!
@ Annalisa - was that arrangement in place before you married ... or during your lives? Interesting snippet for us - thank you! I agree you obviously do need a pulley system - like those washing lines? Good luck to us all for the lottery win ... there's always hope ... but so pleased you still enjoy each other's company!
@ Joanne - well that's good for my ability to tell a story, I guess - but glad you realised! I loved that song ... so felt I could use it here ...
@ Birgit - thank you ... lived too long watching me, and others ... so fairly easy to dream up. Sometimes one has to take the plunge and spread our wings - certainly what I did long ago. Yes - I do see it for some widows starting to enjoy different things ...
Thanks so much to you all - thankfully I got away and was able to just live a life, not always easy, but peaceful ... cheers Hilary
Well written!
Brilliant story, Hilary. I had to do a double-take as well! :D
Starting a new chapter can turn your life around, isn't it? Better to go on an adventure than repent not doing it, ten years down the line. I loved your take on the prompt, Hilary!
Wow! You had me hooked with this one. Loved the image of those boots, too!
@ Susan - thanks so much ...
@ Donna - that's good I guess?! - not real though ... some bits and bobs ...
@ Shilpa - lovely to see you - yes, starting a new life can be challenging - but like you I've just got on with it ... easier to deal with ...
@ Lee - thanks ... I'm surprised it came across as so real - but pleased everyone eventually realised! I have to say I rather like the image of the boots - and would like to think that I could at some stage have put them on ... for an appropriate evening - not sure though!!
Cheers to you all - thank you so much - Hilary
Thank you as always for your kind support, Hilary. Carole.
Well done, Hils.
Your story made me think...yes, I would like to go wandering too! But not alone!
Good job on the prompt, Hilary. You make it sound almost delightful.
How many of us fantasize about this!! Leaving it all behind to devour all the treasures we've been missing. I know I have. Thanks for the story.
Hi Hilary,
Your portrayal of a woman who is dissatisfied with life after over twenty years of marriage is excellent. The fact that the kids are out of the house shows how she has neglected her own mental and emotional state of mind. In many ways, this is a sad state of mind for any woman who has lost herself while raising her kids and concentrating on her husband’s career. In my opinion, I believe this is how the women’s liberation movement in the USA started. A very good take on the prompt.
Shalom aleichem
I knew you were never married, but at first I fell for the story.
I must say I am finding it hard to be always alone, what with Covid and a few restrictions still in place.
How do you cope, have you many friend?. I know you have lots of interests and hobbies but . . . .
@ Thanks Carole ... always glad to help ...
@ Sandra - thank you ...
@ Nas - yes I can see your point ... but I'd rather be on my own and comfortable, than trying to balance life if it's not that easy ...
@ Dan - well it's good to get away I guess ... time for oneself ...
@ Pennie - certainly if one has the money to see places that would be interesting to visit ... so I agree with you ...
@ Pat - thank you ... I'm sure many suffer much worse than this - but as you mention women do so often bear the brunt in life. Your comment about the women's liberation movement in the States I don't know anything about ... but really appreciate your support for my post - thank you ...
@ Friko - In fact I was married for a couple of years ... but was grateful I could get away peacefully. I can understand your challenge now that you're on your own after a long and happy marriage.
I think over the years I've got used to making my own decisions ... and I'm fortunate being in Eastbourne where there are a lot of resources to tap into - which I've done, also being able to get up to London as often as I'd like.
I do have friends around England and the world ... and I'm very grateful for blogging friends and contacts ... all in all I just get on with it, I guess! I do hope you can adjust more easily ... take care and I'll email shortly.
Cheers to one and all - Hilary
Once the kids have flown the nest it's time to restock and take charge of your own life. Very well written.
Thanks Sally - yes, I'm sure many women should/could change tack ... but each to his own. Cheers Hilary
One thing that Putin has done is put Ukraine culture upfront and foremost in the minds of the world. I knew about Ukraine, but now I'm listening to their music, attending to their history. I might not have done so without Mr. Putin's ill-advised and very stupid invasion.
Be safe, be well, and above all be happy dear Hilary! I'll be watching for you wherever your travels take you ;-)
Oddly, I just watched an episode of The Simpsons where Lisa thinks her parents need to experience romance by taking a trip. There's a total fail, but it does end up really romantic. It reminds me of your story because they didn't want to go (though, in yours, one person does want to go).
Maybe some people just need an extended vacation. Wild or Eat, Pray, Love. Something like that.
So sad how people sometimes grow apart, grow away, or outgrow even the closest relationships. Brave and difficult to opt to go alone at the ending stages of life, I'd imagine. Deciding not to want to grow old with someone, quite the opposite of what we normally hear.
Hope you're having a great day! My latest blog post has my theme for the April #AtoZChallenge (I'm writing speculative fiction and looking for prompts).
At Operation Awesome we have the #PassOrPages query contest going on (friends or enemies to lovers Romance).
Looks like I'll be very busy the next few weeks!
March quote: "Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do." - Mark Twain
Hi Lee - thank you ... I've replied on the next post.
@ Diedre - oh no ... I'm still around - there seems to have been a mix up - I just wanted some space - but sounds like with the subject of WEP, expectation is I'm a-wandering away from here - no!!
@ Jamie - how funny ... but that's great to read about. I know I just needed to get away - but I hadn't been married for 20 years, nor had a any kids ... just didn't realise the situation I'd landed myself with - so to a point drew on that experience ...
@ JL - yes I love having family and friends who have successful marriages, equally I have friends who are single by design, or accident ... but the main thing is to be happy.
Thanks so much to you all for being here - cheers Hilary
I too could live comfortably and happily alone. To do life over again, I'd stay single and very happy! Monogamy has its place. Just not in my life. And no, I've never cheated, but every man I've known has!!!
Hi Yolanda - yes I suspect more men than women have strayed. I've been happy being alone, but haven't worried about being single. I enjoy being out with friends and family or colleagues - so keep in touch with life in general. Glad you appreciated the post - thanks ... cheers Hilary
Ooh, I think a lot of people could relate to this character! I haven't participated in WEP for a long time, but the April prompt really has me intrigued. I've got to see if I can come up with a snip...
Hi Deniz - I look forward to you joining us for the April WEP.
This was fun to write up ... so appreciate you could relate to her. Cheers Hilary
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