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