Family... and Purpose...

J and I had a very in depth conversation the other night.  We both struggle a lot.  But we are going to work on these struggles together, and also work on strengthening some very important relationships.

We talked the other night about why we each thought our marriage failed.  Is it because we did not have a joint purpose?  We always talk about how we are a team, but were we really?
I know I have mentioned many times that I need to let go of the past, and we both agreed.  Together, we are going to move past the years of hurt, the times we didn't communicate, the things we may have said or done that we are not proud of.  Whatever happened before the Summer of 2010 is not important TODAY.  The past is the past.  While I will always remember our marriage fondly, I need to stop thinking of this as "a second chance".  We both agreed to focus on NOW, TODAY, this MOMENT together.  I honestly feel like it is going to make us stronger as a couple.

As for our families, all of this talk made us realize that our grandparents have each had such long lasting relationships (his surviving grandparents are still married, after 50yrs, my paternal grandparents also.  My maternal grandmother was married twice, but the 2nd time she was together with my grandfather for over 20yrs).  These are such great examples!  However, we don't feel like we take in that example and knowledge enough.  His grandparents live in AR, and while both of mine are close by, we don't see them enough.  So 1 weekend is going to be devoted to each set of grandparents.  1 weekend we call the Grandparents in AR, 1 weekend we see my paternal grandparents, 1 weekend we have dinner/lunch, etc with my mom's mom, and the other weekend, I am going to make a point to visit my grandfather's grave, as morbid as it sounds.  I really feel like I need to be there more, and I have only been to his grave twice in the 5yrs he has been gone.  It's not my thing, but it's something I feel I need to do.  Make sure his headstone is clean, make sure there are flowers, and as crazy as it seems, just be there.

So that is the thoughts going on in our home, and it is making me very happy and excited to look forward to our future together.  A new start in our household :-)