The Norm

I was driving in the car the other day after picking up Sean from some place and he made the comment that all his friends parents are divorced. I commented that unfortunately his father and I are now the exception not the rule. That only about 34% of married couples stay married. Then I also said if they allowed gay couples to marry that number would probably rise. I know at least 4 couples that have been together as long if not longer than Dave and I. Only one of those couples is legally married because they live in a state that allows marriages of same sex couples.I have to give Dansville credit though or at least the school district. There are openly gay teachers and administrator working in the schools.

When I worked in the school cafeteria I saw many of the children's names change several times. We live in a small rural area and the rate of divorce, teen pregnancy, and child neglect is high. There is an 8th grader in my son's school that is pregnant. An eighth grader, she is only 14. I knew that my warm smile and remembering someones name when they came through the lunch line was probably the only kindness some of these kids got each day. I would sometimes buy them lunch if they forgot their money and most of them would pay me back. This was against policy and I always got a mark on my end of the year review because of it. I explained that I wasn't extending credit to the kids the lunch was payed for. Unfortunately it didn't fly. But to this day most of my favorites remember my name and I theirs. My concern and caring didn't leave just because I left the job. Gone are the days of June Cleaver and Harriet Nelson. Kids now come home to empty houses. Not mom waiting with warm cookies fresh out of the oven and a glass of milk.

I can't imagine my life with out my husband Dave or my kids. I married the man because I loved him and that love grows and changes every day we are together.

I don't mind being the exception.

ttfn