Thankfully, modern medicine continues with extensive research to advance lives. Diseases and illnesses once considered a death sentence now enhances lifestyles with techniques and approaches once considered a pipe dream. Aged folks have been reexamining their future plans. Baby boomers are collecting Social Security, pensions and additional income with part-time jobs. More people are involved with an assortment of volunteer positions. Some, who are gravely ill, are kept comfortable as death and mortality are addressed. So, as people live longer with an enhanced quality of life, some face new challenges.

Many media outlets, especially newspapers, happily supply photos of couples celeb rating anniversaries. Some of us are impressed by their longevity, to be specific, 30-50 plus years. the couple appears happy with a distinguished air about them. What we, who are unfamiliar with the lovely couple, don’t know is their marital history. That they’ve achieved a number of years worthy of envy, we don’t know the particulars of their longevity. How did they get through all those years? Were they content, happy? Did they face hardships? If so, with grace and dignity, with battles in disagreement?

I recall two separate couples who surprisingly come to me for guidance. Here was an odd and challenging experience for me. Two couples, both married 50-plus years and seeking a listening ear from a younger man. Each couple came on time. Each session took into account a major complaint vocalized by one partner about the other. Each complainant voiced a sense of being trapped. The

complaint by each wasn’t rebuked by the partner. Each acknowledged the complaint. Each believed their future was to remain together despite the depth of hurt, betrayal and distress. I really did no more than listen. Neither couple, seen separately, desired a return visit. Both succumbed to a belief that remaining together was the only choice.

Today, couples in their 60’s and 70’s, who’ve been married for decades, are deciding upon the fate of unpleasant marriages. Couples in droves are choosing separation and yes, even divorce. This prompts me to tell you a bad joke. A couple in their 90’s meet a matrimonial attorney. The attorney is shocked to hear that the couple wish to divorce. Asked how long they’d been married, they reply, 70 years. Now stunned, the attorney asks how long they’ve considered this bold move. A long time, they responded. Why now, the attorney asked? They responded because our children were very sensitive, we didn’t want to divorce and hurt their feelings. So, we waited for them to die before proceeding with this current decision. Funny and not so funny! I hope no one is offended by this joke. It is not an endorsement, it’s merely a dramatic demonstration of current events. More in the next article.

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.