Friends, it has been a time of huge change for me. On February 22nd, the city of Christchurch in New Zealand, where I’ve lived since November of 2009, was devastated by a 6.3 earthquake just under the city. My apartment was rendered unlivable and my work building was also judged unsafe to enter.
It’s been a trial and a time of new beginnings and endings.
My wife of 20+ years, Sharon, and I decided to complete our divorce action which has been sitting open and uncompleted since July of 2009. We’d no sooner decided this on February 21st, than the earthquake occurred here the next day and my southern world world was tuned upside down as well.
Tomorrow, I get on a plane and fly back to the US for the first time in nearly 18 months for a month’s visit. I’ll be seeing friends and family all up and down the US west coast. And, on April 26th, I’ll be sitting down with Sharon in her lawyer’s office near Seattle to complete the divorce action.
This is not how I ever expected or wanted our marriage to turn out – but, there it is. Life is nothing, if not change and, endings lead to new beginnings.
So, there’s some grieving for what I’ve lost, both in that marriage and here in the city of Christchurch and there are some new beginnings.
My urge to write and to Blog will return – is returning – and I will start this up again.
My best wishes to all.
Dennis
Hi Dennis,
I am so sorry to hear about you and Sharon. It was (and wasn’t) a surprise to me, but sad none the less. I am glad you are safe down there in NZ. I wish you much luck in whatever direction your life brings you. I will always have good memories of working and hanging out with you and Sharon.
~Bella
Thanks for your good thoughts, Susan. Yes, it is sad but life is change and this will bring us new, different and, hopefully, better realities. Hope you and yours have been well. Love ya, Sweetie.