The Plank is out of my eyes, but too late for WAW?

[Heimlich]

Sara/Mama, Thanks, ladies,

I'm not familiar with the book you mention, but I also think of "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein (also wrote a song for Johnny Cash). For some reason, when I think of the heart/door/open out, I also think of the Far Side cartoon of the kid pushing on the "School for the GIfted" door and the door has a "pull" sign on it.

I really do believe that love is a decision. Maybe not entirely. I don't think you can force yourself to make those 'in love' feelings out of nothing, but I really do think that once you get deep in a relationship, you wake up every day and unconsciously/consciously decide to stay in it and act like you're in love. We're all here because somewhere along the line, we stopped treating and acting toward our partners like we loved them -- at least to some degree.

Yes, Mama, I feel like in the past week or so, I've really gotten to a point where I can accept that my W might leave me. I really believe that I was clueless (up until five weeks ago tomororw, as a matter of fact) about my role in the relationship and that neither I nor my W could have been happy before I had my epiphany (man, that sounds a little arrogant). Hope it's not too late for us, and maybe things are shifting in her heart, but I'm starting to make peace with the idea that our M might end. I wouldn't say I'm serene, but I'm more ME than I've been in quite a while. And that feels pretty damn good.

Well, it's really just tomorrow. She flies to New Orleans early Saturday (7 a.m. flight from BWI, blech), so I'm free as a bird for 10 days. If she calls once or twice while she's down there, I will take that as a tremendously positive sign. Fingers crossed.

BD