Reality vs Romance

Daily writing prompt
Do you believe in soulmates? Why or why not?

I’ve found that most people who call someone they’re in love with their soulmate are actually still in the infatuation stage of a relationship. It’s easy to see the connection then–everything seems perfect. You both like the same food, same entertainment, same kinds of pets. You were meant to be.

And that may be true. I do believe, to a certain extent, that there is a power that draws us into relationships. I have friends who’ve been happily married for forty years or more. I was there when they first met each other and lived through the ups and downs of courtship and the forces that brought them to the ultimate decision: we’ll get married.

Those friends can tell me they’re with their soulmates and I’ll believe them. You go through that many years of marriage and you’ve seen the ups and downs of life together–sometimes, perhaps, less together than you’d want to be, but in the end, you’re still with that same person.

Interestingly, though, I’ve never had a friend or relative who’s been in a long-term relationship call their significant other “my soulmate.” Perhaps, like me, they see that as a naive belief. When you’re together for a long time, you discover there are a lot of differences between the two of you, and you’re not the perfect match you initially thought you were.

That’s not to say that your relationship is bad. People are flawed, and it’s sometimes difficult to discover those flaws in someone we love. But that’s also the beauty of settling in to being together. You learn to work it out. You learn to love.

I had a boyfriend who ended up breaking up with me because he didn’t think we were soulmates. I asked him what he thought a soulmate was, and he said it was someone you were completely in sync with. You never disagreed with each other because you were destined to live happily ever after.

Yeah, he’s still single.

Image Credits: Couple Holding Hands (header) © Pete–stock.adobe.com; Birds in Love © Celestynka–stock.adobe.com

Walter at Work

Well, I try to keep a clear space near me when I’m at my laptop as Walter thinks that is prime time for snuggling. I disagree, although I tend to lose that battle. As you can see, he’s settled in next to the printer, which is kind of ironic since the printer scares the bejeebers out of him when it’s actually printing something.

He is, however, by far my favorite co-worker.

Don’t disturb me–I’m writing the Great American Novel!

Image Credits: Cesar Cat © Belinda O; Paws in Heart © BigStock Photos; Cat at Laptop © Journey–stock.adobe.com

Update

Some of you have asked how my dad is doing, and sadly, he died Monday night. I am heartbroken. I’ve written before about his love for life and his active lifestyle. He believed staying active was key to living longer, but cancer doesn’t accept that hypothesis. It was pancreatic cancer and just three months after his diagnosis, he was gone. Before that, his golf scores had been lower than ever and his bowling scores higher.

He was one of the biggest supporters of my blogs. It will be difficult to resume writing for awhile (although I may manage to fit in some Caturday posts). I appreciate the support of the blogging community. It means a lot.

Image Credit: Header © Mary Long–stock.adobe.com

How Walter Got His Name

Sometimes, when people hear my cat is named Walter, they ask why I gave him that name. The truth is I don’t remember. However, I had just watched His Girl Friday with Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, one of my favorite films. Cary Grant’s character’s name is Walter, so there’s a good chance my beloved Walter is named after Cary Grant. Both are quite handsome, although no one would call my Walter debonair. Sweet and loving, yes. But not at all sophisticated.

Hmmm…a worldly wise cat would know what to do with this glass of wine…

Image Credits: Cesar Cat © Belinda O; Paws in Heart © BigStock Photos; Cat and Glass of Wine © cac_tus–stock.adobe.com

My Wide-Eyed Girl

I was sitting in Mimi’s chair, and she just sat there staring at me, even when I pulled my camera out, which is typically when she moves. I apologized, of course, for my audacity in taking her space. She forgave me with her usual grace and charm.

Hey there–what’s yours is mine and what’s mine is mine. Get out of my space!

Image Credits: Cesar Cat © Belinda O; Paws in Heart © BigStock Photos; Wide-Eyed Black Cat © Mr. Stocker–stock.adobe.com