I hate to be self-absorbed, but this blog is for me. Why, because five years ago my mother died. It was so mind blowing and awful. I took a leaf from her mapbook however and have stoically proceeded along the roadway marked life with my best intentions. Every decision I have made since her passing has not happened without asking her if I was doing the right thing. Somehow sadly the past five years have been life-challenging and life destroying. My daughter was caught up with a sex predator (sociopath) who stalked her at school when she had just turned sixteen. We were in an emotional turmoil over my mother's passing and my father had moved in with us. Somehow the event turned ugly as my daughter suffered low- self esteem and uncertainly about where she fitted into the family. I was at work and the household was invaded by my extended family. A wrong turn in the road, perhaps? Then my brother took his life the following year. Without any knowledge of what we were going through, just absorbed with his own world that was in turmoil. I thought men would be better at coping, some are amazing, but if that's one thing I've learned in this five years on our rocky road, some men clearly cannot cope. They crumble, whimper and fall. And their eyes glaze over when they hear women complain. They have no idea how hard it is to give birth and have a little baby demanding attention 24/7. The baby blues are devastating. Hormones out of synch are killers for women, but men don't get hormonal, just horny. And if that is not sorted out, they become monsters. Don't tell me about it. I have soul searched why men and women are put on earth, why not just one gender. I asked my husband out of curiosity, do men really need women. To his credit he told me that their first and most important quest is to find a woman. I love him of course but I still want to know why, to feel like a man? Or for show, or to do their work for them. So I guess, the blog is not about me, just asking a simple question... why are men and women put on earth, couldn't we just clone ourselves? Then I read about two ladies who have lost their husbands this past year to illness and their descriptions of their love was beautiful and heart-rending. The tears rolled down my cheeks. The answer to it all is so simple, we are here to find out about true love, and if you don't have it you are missing out. A companion who shares life's challenges with you without question and loves unconditionally and with real passion is a treasure beyond material wealth. The world is a beautiful place in spite of all it's drudgery, trickery and vice. Just be armed with a super-dose of self protection and choose your companions wisely. And mistakes along the road are there to teach us and to make us grow. I think I said it before, I'll say it again...no regrets! Any comments on your greatest love of all will be appreciated. Love your significant other like there is no tomorrow. Eve