First Snow

We had our first snow last night. Only an inch or two, but it signaled the start of the season, as did the crowds at the mall and the traffic jam in the shopping center. I won't miss the slush or the mounds and mounds of salt that Princeton township feels obligated to dump on the road at the first flake of snow, but one of the things I will miss if I move from the Northeast is the comforting smell of smoke coming from ppl's fireplaces.

For various reasons, I've decided to send Fluffy to California over winter break and keep her at what will probably become her new permanent home. The decision has become a source of considerable tension on the home front, with the opposing party becoming at turns enraged and maudlin with despair as he tries to get used to the idea. God help us all.

Here is a work-in-progress, the product of much navel-gazing.

Next time I fall in love, I ...

- will listen to my friends
- will listen to my family
- will go in with my eyes wide open
- will not rationalize away his flaws
- will pay attention to red flags
- will not tell myself, "He will change."
- will get out at the first sign of disrespect
- will make sure he likes me more than I like him
- will not pay for him
- will not be his mother
- will make sure we can say to each other, "I love you."
- will not forsake my friends to spend time with him
- will not get caught in the heat of the moment
- will not work my life situation around him, just to be with him
- will consider leaving him earlier, often
- will not allow that thought to enter conversation
- will pay attention to how he makes me feel about myself
- will not call him names
- will think of the example I am setting for our future children
- will not give up my dreams to be with him
- will be true to myself