Dinner with an old friend

I had dinner with a friend I have not seen in a long time. I was surprised to hear her story since we had last spoke. She had been married twice and was taking college classes while on disability. The payments from disability paid her enough to pay her mortgage & there was some left over for her to live on. I knew she was not working but I did not know she was on disability. She was trying to stretch out college classes to last a few years until her girls would be older and in high school. Life had been a crazy ride for Liz and I was not sure how much better it could get for her.

She is in a much better place emotionally as she is no longer dating just to date and is happy being single as it gives her time to get to know herself. She makes it sound like she is on the road to achieving balanced emotional & mental health. I hope she is doing well. It was interesting to sit with her and chat for a few hours to catch up and find out all that has happened in life. She has lived more than I have but I still have few regrets about the life choices I have made. I would have liked to have been married but relationships can be difficult and they require lots of work.

I know that ten to fifteen years ago I never imagined I would be living & doing what I am doing now. How life turned out for Liz was not much of a surprise for me. I am curious when I will see her again and if I will recognize her. I am curious if she will continue to pursue balanced emotional health. I hope so and I hope the next time we meet she has good stories to share.