A Parting and not a Pause

I like to think one of the things that sets us apart from the beasts and birds of the field, or a large number of them at least, is an ability to fall in love, and concomitantly, an ability to break our hearts when we fall out of love. I can remember as a kid growing up when adults in the neighborhood got a divorce, it was rare back in my day but it happened, both parents moved away. I lost more than one friend that way-which I always found unfair, as we (the kids) hadn't done anything; it was the stupid grown-ups.

Now, every thing's up to date-we have no fault divorce. 'No fault' anything may be my generation's most lasting contribution to American society and is so perfect. When you have 'no fault' we have no one needing to take responsibility-I'm okay and you're okay. We just suck really bad at whatever it was we were doing together but are unable to do anymore. No harm, no foul. Shake hands and have a really nice life.

This weekend in New York is a monument to all of this 'the least we can do is wave,' a Divorce Expo. Is this a great country, or what? Dear Forces of Evil Who Hate Us: if you leave us alone, and give us twenty years, we'll implode and you won't need to do a thing. The same country that invented sweaters for dogs and has 24/7 shopping channels on television, has figured out a way to cash in on divorce though our nearest convention center. Sponsored by Macy's. What's NOT to love? (Surprised Heublein isn't a co-sponsor.)

My wife and I have been married thirty-four years and I suspect not all of them have been as smooth as glass, despite my efforts (a small joke there, very small). We have been very fortunate and I am eternally grateful and mindful others have not been as fortunate. I think the relationship you fashion from the embers produced by the flames of passion when you first found 'the one' is at least as important as when 'what light through yonder window breaks?' becomes 'can't you remember to put the seat down when you're finished?'

You already  missed the first day-but today's schedule looks like it's chock full of great stuff (eek!). I'd think the trip to the sort-of lower West Side (Lenny says hi) is practically worth it for, if nothing else, the keynote remarks from the Hairstylist to the Stars. I wonder if there was a mixer last night? And wouldn't being a fly on the wall listening to those pick-up lines have been a delight?  I've got just the tune for the close-out singalong-it's got a terrible beat and you cannot dance to it: "In the summer, by the pool side; while the fireflies are all around me. I'll miss you when I'm lonely, I'll miss the alimony, too." Don't forget me.
-bill kenny