This was written when I was divorced and raising my two boys in the late 70’s to early 90’s. 

 

Facing the world out on your own

Can be scary and make you feel all alone.

It need not be though, if you take it from me

For I have survived and am happy, you see.

Keep on with each day – one at a time

Soon you will find a calmness of mind

It may take a week, or a month or a year

It may take several to end all your fear.

Don’t think of that – it’s too big a load

Just take each day and follow your road.

Some days will be “up” – others are “down”

On a bad day remember a good one will be found.

Do not forget, whatever the season,

You are here on this earth for an important reason

With different experiences happening to you

They cycle around and give you a clue

Follow your heart and do what you love

Acknowledge your strengths and give you a hug.

Dating:

Getting out in the world – oh what a pain

It is a task from which I would rather abstain.

You may feel rejected (it is a big deal)

Your heart is crushed and it feels very real.

Why can’t my white knight just arrive on his horse?

This really is the worst part of divorce.

The place to find men who you’ll like the best

Is to do what you like – let them do the rest.

If it is skiing, quilting, or cycling, you see

Just do those things and be happy with thee.

It may not be your time (disheartening to hear)

It may be that ‘your time’ is not near

You have to grow and develop just you

Go on to help others, the many or few

You will be in the end a much happier you

You may find you smiling and no longer blue.

Kids:

 For those with kids, oh yes, I sigh too,

They can keep you too busy from time just for you.

From them you can learn many wonderful lessons

Laughter and joy — also hair pulling sessions

Even with ‘taxing’ (oh what a bother)

It’s a chance to talk and be close to each other.

It can be a time for screaming or yelling

Or a time to find what inside them is dwelling

A time to discuss what is important to you

And even to listen to their point of view.

Repairs:

 We all are single at one time or another

We can’t always live with our father or mother

It’s a time for growing and sometimes for pain

What we learn inside is a valuable gain

When the sprinklers don’t work or the sink is stopped up

Open a ‘How To” book and look it all up.

It is not as difficult as it may sound

If there is a solution, one can be found

One rule of mine is “if there are screws,

Then unscrew the screws and see what to do”

If it is too overwhelming, put it together again

Then call a repairman, better yet, a good friend

People are in this big world just to share

They like to feel needed and really do care

If you let them help out a damsel in need

They’ll be rewarded inside and don’t need a fee.

Traveling Alone:

Traveling is easy after taking the step

The hardest part is to take a deep breath

Jump in the car or a bus or a plane

And enjoy what memories you are soon to gain

You will return as a more confident ‘you’

You’ve stepped one more step on your path (right on cue)

Don’t feel you can’t do it if you don’t have a friend

You will meet many people on your road with no end.

Epilogue:

Enjoy each moment (the minute or day)

You’ll experience more memories and sock them away.  

You may even grow in a different direction

Become more independent and need less protection.

You will experience more than married friends will

And best of all, there is more to come still.

You can do anything – no one is saying ‘don’t dear’

Go with your heart, don’t give into fear

You’ll find that you really can repair anything

There’s adventure in living – it has a nice ring

Don’t be afraid of what’s coming to you

The world is your oyster, you just need to choose

Which direction it is that you want to start with

You can sit there in agony or now start to live

You won’t be alone, many souls you will meet

As you survive this new world that is placed at your feet.