Stupid Idea

I think my Ex and I have finally agreed our financial settlement, and hopefully now we can get divorced at last! Tra la!

It's taken 3 1/2 years, and I am proud of us both, because I don't think a single cross word about it has been exchanged between us for the past twelve months, since he declared, "This is War!"

A wise solicitor advised that whoever might be at fault in the breakdown, however subtly or obviously, you will always lose out financially unless you marry someone richer than you are in the first place.

Throughout these years, I have been gently, kindly and wisely guided by a charm (as in 'of goldfinches', according to my Thesaurus, but it seems the appropriate collective noun here) of grown-up men (yes there are such a things), who allow me to vent my spleen, and before I get to "and another thing", they patiently suggest how I might communicate in a more pleasant manner.

So intead of yelling "That's a bloody stupid idea!" I have been advised to describe how said idea might affect me or make me feel. Hence "If you do that, I am concerned that it might impact on x, y and z" may prove more constructive, they suggest.

I have tried it, and damn me, it's worked! So now we will soon be free to go our separate ways! Perhaps I should have given it a go a bit more often during our marriage - I wonder where we would be now if I had?