Larger and Smaller

For LL in the UK

It occurred to me that your small family has been further reduced in the past few years whereas mine has expanded, adding another grandchild this year. I am also sad at your losses, not so much for you, but for them. I liked them both, a lot.

Why am I not saddened for you. Well, I think that must be pretty obvious. I will put it into words though. I have no sympathy with the losses to you because of your callous unfeeling nature, the coldness you displayed at the time of our parting and the gloating afterward. I guess you knew all that, anyway. You know how you treated me and you have to live with that, if you have any feelings in you.

You also have to live with the fact that you made a major mistake. You know it, and admitted it, and I know it, also.

Fact is that if he 'goes' - and let's face it, he's not the healthiest creature on the planet - what are you left with in terms of family? The answer is, not a lot. All of your own making one way and another. I felt for you when we were together. I thought you had experienced a rough deal and wanted something much better for you, including a much wider 'family'. Your impulses, impulsive nature and impatience got in the way of all of that, largely to your detriment.

You could say that you might have had it all, but you decided you knew what was best for you...except, you didn't.

I am, as you probably know, back in Florida enjoying the winter warmth. No coats, no gloves, no scarves, no snow. A friend who lives near Perth Scotland tells me they have snow and ice and power cuts. She's OK though.

Lovely family Christmas with friends and family all lined up here. I may spend your Boxing Day on Sanibel and Captiva, or go sailing, not sure which yet. Denver was snowy but beautiful. Stopped off there for two days to see a friend after leaving San Diego and my home there. Hawaii was great too, but it always is ...with the right company😉. Managed to visit two other islands apart from Oahu. Nice relaxing break.

In the New Year I have a reunion dinner in London so will be over to enjoy (?) your cold and wet.

No idea what your Christmas will be like but it sure as hell won't be as warm as mine!

Ciao

Contrasts

For LL in the UK

Relaxing here in Hawaii before Christmas takes over, has allowed me time once more to reflect on my life compared with yours LL. I don't want you to forget what you have missed and what an enormous mistake, or should I say mistakes plural, you made.

You:

- Modest housing

- No place abroad despite the 'promise'

- Repeat vacations to similar places, with a few exceptions (four in 13 years)

- Modest older car (s)

- Large vertically challenged 'partner'

- Poor judgement

- Allowed yourself to 'go', physically

- One adult grandchild

Me:

- Various luxury homes around the globe, nearly all with pools etc

- A veritable stable of new cars/vehicles, plus a classic car collection

- Several boats/yacht

- Vacations wherever, and whenever, I want

- A Gulfstream 650 jet and a helicopter

- Substantial wealth - that goes without saying, really

- Choice of lovely younger partners in various locations

- Still around the same weight as 13 years ago, maybe  a little more gray and lacking in hair on top

- Excellent judgement and very astute

- Seven grandchildren, -six under seven years old

- A business empire, plus my own personal interests in photography, art, cooking, horses and of course my writing

~~~~~~~~~~~~

When it is set out like that, don't you think you definitely made the wrong decision. I do and I know you do. Look what I have achieved in thirteen years and compare it with your life over that period. All I have I worked for, and the exponential growth in my wealth since you went your way, is solely down to me and my own decision making.

When I reflect on things with the perspective of time, it seems you chose a supposed short term gain over your long term interests, security and dare I say happiness ...and that of your small family.

Not only have we obviously grown apart, but I have grown away from you and your world; inhabiting as I do an entirely different one with all the joy and satisfaction that has brought me.

Between mine and Ash's family I have seven wonderful grandchildren. I doubt whether you will have any more.

I don't need to apologise for drawing your attention to the differences. You made your bed (literally) and chose who to lay in it with, again literally. You made the wrong choice, as you admitted yourself.

I'll leave you to ponder the above. We are off for a walk along the shore.

Ciao