The Long Game

When I was a teenager I thought my parents did not know anything of consequence. 

In contrast, I knew everything.  

Ah, what a rude awakening life can be. 

Yes, I had “book learning” but was lacking in street smarts, common sense…whatever you want to call it.  

Yet, in spite of my superior attitude, I still sought my parents’ advice and guidance on many things and often followed their advice.  

I did the same with other trusted adults. 

My go to guy

After I married, my Husband was my go to guy for everything.  He was the person I could tell anything knowing that he would neither laugh at nor ridicule me.  I also knew that he could help me find a solution by examining the problem from many angles.  

It was such a comfort.  

His death left a big void that I still struggle with at times. 

On my own, kind of

Although I have  found lovely people whose counsel I trust, it is hard because we do not have the shared history that he and I enjoyed.  He knew me and could intuit what the real issue was. 

Yet, I am lucky and grateful that I am not alone and I have people who care about me.  People who will listen and share their viewpoint.  

However, that does not relieve me of the responsibilty of thinking things through, researching the problem and making a plan…regardless of the issue.  

My Husband was always reading and studying so that he could be informed and could make intelligent decisions.  

But, as he always said, “We do the best we can based on what we know at the time” which has comforted me when I look back at poor decisions that I made on my own.  

He also taught me to play the long game and that has made a big difference.