Marriage

Is anyone besides me totally overwhelmed to see the marriages around us disintegrate?  I feel like my parents made it plain to us as we grew up that marriage wouldn't be easy.  That it would wonderful part of the time and a royal pain sometimes too, but that it was the working through the hard times that would make it all worth while. 

The depth of my sadness for others is difficult to describe.  I do not understand the thought that it is okay to just walk.  People saying, "I'm not happy."  or "I can't see myself feeling love for him again."  Excuse me?    It all makes me sad and a bit angry too, like my head wants to explode.

The best way I can think of to get over this problem is to think of someone besides yourself every minute of the day.  Turning away from the selfishness of these thoughts is the only answer.  I always think, "what about your teenager?"  What are you teaching them?  Are you teaching them.......".if you turn 50 and decide your mate isn't doing for you what you want, just leave.  Find someone who excites you?"

And do these people consider the statistics?  Women who divorce are usually considerably worse off financially afterwards.  And divorced men and women are much more likely to be unhappy and lonely as they age into their older years.  I have witnessed this first hand when I worked in a doctor office for several years.  Many divorced people would call and keep you on the phone forever because they are lonely. 

I would love to be able to help my friends who are thinking this way to look at their marriages in a different way.  I have tried and failed with two friends.  I don't know if it was even possible to help them, all I know is .....nothing I had to say made any difference.