Y2 D272

I was thinking about relationships yesterday. Not for any particular reason, it just kind of popped into my head. I was thinking about how people think marriage and relationships are 'forever'. I am really starting to believe that the concept is a fallacy these days. Up until fairly modern times, the average lifespan historically was a lot lower than most of us realize. It's only been in the last couple of centuries where it has exceeded 40-50 on average. Back then when people talked about being married forever, that was 20 - 25 years. I can remember being a kid and when someone had a 25th or the even more rare 50th wedding anniversary part of it was not just that they had been married for so long, but that they were still alive.

If you think in those terms and try to adapt to today's life expectancy, realistically someone should be married two if not three times in their life. If you start at 20, and you are living to be 80, that's 60 years and at 20 years per relationship, pretty damn good if you ask me. Does this make me a cynic? I don't think so. I think it makes me a realist. People's needs and desires change over the course of time. If you're lucky to find someone who can grow and change with you, then fantastic. Maybe you will get 30-35 years out of the relationship. It also means you would still probably be married at least twice during your lifespan.

If people went into relationships with this kind of attitude, I think you would see a lot less messy divorces. In many of Heinlein's books, if a couple want to be together they sign a marriage contract. Usually 10 years and at the end both parties have the option of renewing or parting as friends. No jealousy, no issues. Each lists what they came into the relationship with, each leaves with the same.

Again, not being a cynic but practical. If you tell me that what you needed emotional, mentally, and physically are the same at 40 as they were at 20, I will call you a liar. I know for a fact that I have different needs now than 20 years ago. It's called growing as a human. Just something to think about...

In other news, I feel a cold coming on today. My throat is scratchy and I have snot balls. Sucks. I stayed in the house for the most part yesterday and with the exception of a lunch with a friend, doing the same today. Nothing really exciting happened yesterday. Oh the kid went home. She did send me a text mid-morning telling me how she felt the entire weekend was a waste and she was more stressed than relaxed from it. She is becoming quite a young adult. I am proud of her at every turn.

Time to try and kill this cold. Rockstar HO!