Cristina, my wife... and our life of over our 17 years together - Well, I
have experienced some moments of frustration far more early on... and yet, over the years, some changes have taken place where I find myself pretty much instantly open minded and listening to her. She rarely offers an opinion but when she does, I listen. The reason is because her input and sometimes outright advice has been outstanding. In part why she doesn't usually offer advice is because I beat her to it by asking her opinion or advice first. I do this all the time. She is my #1 "Go To" person.
A few around here may recall me referencing my first wife.
I, like Trump, gave her a name... Lucifera. As my sons will attest, she always lived up to it. Why I bring her up is because I think part of the reason I am so darn fortunate with my "second go" at marriage is because of the stark contrast which manifested in the earliest days of my relationship with Cristina... and this resulted in my experience of true gratitude... a gratitude which I recognized right away and, because of the benefits of an attitude of gratitude, I have maintained that throughout.
Therefore, I had to do my best to learn lessons from the mistakes I saw myself responsible for making with Lucifera. Despite the fact that when we divorced (December, 2001) - which was the conclusion of what can honestly be compared to the way it went down in the movie,
The War of the Roses, a movie which ironically was released one month after we married in 1989 almost as if an omen! - haha. Lucifera never gave up the "war" and sadly the only way she was able to continue this war was to attack me on the only battleground available...
our children. Fortunately I eventually won the war via the age old tactic of attrition. I abstained from fighting and allowed my sons the space and time they needed to see that all the lies she told them were in fact lies. Throughout the whole process the relationship with each of my three sons remained solid and positive... Having Cristina to consult with and sometimes cry with really helped through all that.
Want to know the best part of all about the above story? Something Cristina and my three sons would absolutely say is true?
I never allowed myself to hate Lucifera and trust me, she gave a million reason to.
I hope that last statement hits home for a few potential readers of this post.