LITMIR.BIZ

      This book is dedicated to those who supported me even during the darkest of times. I extend my greatest gratitude.

      OPENING

      The sun was shining its warm golden light over the island of Maui.

      It was Sunday, and Robert was all nestled in their condo perched on the top corner of the first row. This oceanfront condo rested among nearly 30 acres of manicured tropical landscaping.

      Robert was standing in the all glass encased kitchen overlooking the beautiful ocean views toward West Maui. It was absolutely stunning, gazing at the emerald-blue water and the palm trees swaying. It was tranquil and it was private. Robert was alone.

      Marti was back in the Seattle area caring for her business venture, as this was not her weekend to be on Maui. Since Marti started her venture she spent only a week a month in the islands.

      Robert would spend this Sunday doing the laundry, preparing healthy dishes for the upcoming week and getting ready for the Golf Championship Tournament. He was the “czar” of the Men’s Golf Club. He enjoyed the game, but even more, the comradeship of his male cohorts. Robert’s buddies got a kick out of calling him the “czar.” He was organized, maintained rules, was fair, patient and created a fun environment, but everyone always was aware who was “boss.” The buddies really didn’t mind. They were aware of the ones who wanted to “give putts, punch the ball out of the rough and permit a mulligan.” Robert wanted everyone to play by the same rules.

      Suddenly, the phone rang. It was a close neighbor asking about the notice in the paper about Robert’s unit being up for sale. Robert had no knowledge. He was in disbelief, in denial. He was speechless. He quickly closed the conversation and turned to the paper. Yes, he saw the notification about his condo being up for sale before an auction would take place due to a filing of bankruptcy.

      Robert immediately called Marti. She confirmed the findings. Yes, she had filed for bankruptcy. Yes, they had lost all their material possessions. Yes, the savings were gone. A fortune had vanished. The only thing Robert could manage to say was that he could not talk to her at this time and he would not be calling as usual. He always called between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m. every evening for a chat, to check-in and say a warm loving goodnight. Not now! All Marti could say was, “I understand.”

      As the phone lines disconnected, Marti felt the end, the finish. She knew this dreaded moment had been nearing. Now it had arrived. Her head was full. It felt as if it would burst into millions of pieces. Moisture flowed like a river from her eyes flooding her face, cheeks and drenching her shirt. She cried to Jesus. Since her very earliest days as a small child, she felt Jesus had resided in her heart. Where was he? And why did he let her get to this point? How did she get to this point? And why did she bring another with her? Yes, Jesus wanted her to use her talents. Yes, he granted her the opportunity to make choices. Jesus was with her when she did well. Now, Jesus was watching to see how she was going to handle things when they went sour. Her whole body shook. Her screams of agony and despair were smothered by the pillow she pressed against her face and head. How did this happen? What went wrong? Where were the forks in the road? How could the preacher’s daughter in rural Indiana end up living in the lap of luxury—and then seeing it all dissolve before her eyes? She prayed to Jesus to show her what she needed to know. Finally, after hours of wailing and total exhaustion she fell asleep. It was a long sleep filled with visions, memories, sights, sounds, smells and touches of riches and squalor.

      The rest of Robert’s Sunday was spent gagging and incessant vomiting. He managed to crawl to the phone and call the boys.

      Well, here’s the story of how they got there…

      THE BEGINNING

      In my dreams I remembered seeing Robert for the first time, observing him interacting with teachers about his mathematics program and having our first drink together. I could see and feel our immediate connection with similar economic backgrounds, ideals, religious training, and both working in the field of education. Sharing stories we discovered that when I was a youngster living in English, Indiana, trying to be accepted, Robert, living in New Albany, was a teenager delivering flowers to the local funeral home. We giggled, thinking if we had only known we would eventually meet as adults and become lovers.

      Our meeting and our love affair was magical. Our decision to make a commitment to each other was beyond comprehension. It seemed to just happen. And we basked in the joy of it all.

      I recalled the day Robert and I flew out of Indiana to California. I realized this truly was a new beginning and a dawning of exciting new possibilities. This was starting a new personal era. I was embarking on a journey, beginning a meaningful cycle, opening doors to new relationships, exploring an unfamiliar dimension of my-self.

      It takes courage to embrace change willingly. All my past experiences had poised me for this moment. All the triumphs and the seeming defeats contributed to my current readiness for change. The joys and the heartaches, the hopes and the sorrows, the loves and the betrayals, the friends as well as the enemies, even the moments of utter despair, made me the unique person I am today.

      I felt nothing but gratitude, blessed by the experiences and I silently gave thanks. I let it all go. My memories would serve a good purpose. They would still be there when I needed or wanted them. There was so much I simply wouldn’t need any more in my new existence.

      I felt alive. I had been given an incredible gift of a fresh new adventure.

      Robert and I arrived in California. Together we had felt a creative urge from the universe. We opened up and tapped into its tremendous power and there it was for the taking, LOVE.

      Now

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