See Yourself in the Main Character…

So, this week I stumbled across the series “The Last Anniversary”. I won’t deny I am drawn to all things ANZ, I’ve been researching how to emigrate to NZ for the last year. (Sadly, without millions of USD, I have a year left before they tell me to bugger off. Agism is real, folks. LOL)

The story is about a mysterious disappearance of a couple who left their infant daughter behind in their cabin. Two sisters take her in and fast-forward, she ends up capitalizing on the mystery, the fact that she is the infant, and creates an entire industry around it.

The first episode finds one of the sisters passing away and leaving her home with all the contents, to her grandson’s ex-girlfriend, with whom she felt a kindred ship. I see myself in the ex-girlfriend’s character.

It’s no secret that I have always been able to talk to strangers, and quite like it, if I may. I don’t much care for people, but business travel over the last 25 years, I often find myself eating alone, visiting landmarks on days off alone … you get the idea. I have easily forged bonds with grandmothers, aunts, cousins, brothers of those I’ve dated in the past. In the first episode they feature flashbacks that show how the ex-girlfriend bonded with the late matriarch, it looks like something I’ve done a number of times over the years.

I could have been this fictitious woman; I’ve connected with a number of my ex’s family members in a meaningful way. It caused some resentment in a few, and I was swiftly cast aside. However, I kept in touch with those family members with whom I bonded and aside from the occasional family member’s wisecrack, the ex was never the wiser.

Some of my friends criticized me for keeping in touch with these people, but I never paid much attention to that. I always felt that everything happens for a reason; perhaps meeting that boy or man was not meant to lead to a long, happy marriage but only to lead me to that family member with whom I felt a connection. And if that is what the Universe intended, I am more than ok with that. I consider it a privilege to hear someone’s story, to be let in on their story … I have never taken that for granted.

Those stories have helped me to forge ahead, and for better or worse, be the woman I am today. Perhaps one day I’ll be remembered by one of those people, and if I am, I will consider it a blessing. However, if my company simply brought them a smile or a fond feeling as they recounted their happiest days, that is absolutely fine with me.

Sometimes life leads us down a winding path. Enjoy the journey.