I am a real estate agent/investor. I got my license shortly after Al and I started buying, remodeling and then flipping houses. We had a great time doing this, but lately, my heart hasn't been in it. It was something we did together...we often played "good cop, bad cop" during the negotiations. We were a true partnership when it came to this endeavor. Because I lost my partner, I don't really have the desire, nor drive to do it anymore. Even though I have a couple of listings, I think I may eventually refer everything to someone else. If anything, I need a break.
So, what do I do with myself now? Not totally sure, but in the meantime I have to do something. I have worked since I was 14 years old and I am not one to sit around and eat bonbons all day (even though my husband jokingly accused me of that). I have always loved fashion, especially fashion that came from my favorite store, Talbots. A couple of years ago, I entertained the idea of working there part-time, but the timing wasn't right, so I didn't pursue it. About a month ago, I approached them and was hired on a part-time basis. Perfect.
My first couple of hours on the job I had to fill out paperwork. Name, address, phone number, etc was all pretty common and straightforward. I was breezing right along until I came to this box:
_____ Married
_____ Single
I felt like I had been hit in the stomach. What do I check? I felt married, certainly not single. I put the pen down and contemplated the answer. The dictionary defines marriage as: the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law. OK, I had definitely been in a legal marriage. It defines single as: not married. Was I no longer married?
I certainly wasn't prepared for the emotions associated with that box. I wanted to check "married", but legally, I am now recognized as "single". I dutifully checked "single" and finished the paperwork.
I have been hit by situations like this before, but never one that caused me to reflect so greatly on the future. Oh well, it's just a box. Legally I may be single, but my heart is still married.
