JDavid

I found the “one in a million” woman – or more correctly, she found me ----- again. ---------------------- We met ten years ago – on the eve of Y2K – in the middle of the desert of New Mexico. Midway between Silver City and Deming there is a hot spring oasis at which there was a small campground “resort” (now closed after death of one of the owners –www.faywood.com). She stopped to camp and soak. I had been there for a few weeks with my RV. ---------------------- She made the initial (and subsequent) contact – which was intellectual / mental long before becoming physical / intimate. I describe that as, “she did the choosing” (and usually go on to add that she obviously has good judgment). After days of conversation that remarkable young woman literally asked for “an apprenticeship in life”, saying “I want to know what you know”. --------------------- She was thirty-three years old and had spent almost twenty years overcoming the very negative effects of being raised in one of the more destructive religious environments (FLDS cult). Learning to live in the real world and make decisions based on knowledge, judgment and experience (rather than religious dogma) was difficult – even after two decades on her own. --------------------- I am more than twenty-five years older than her – and have no difficulty making decisions without “guidance”, restriction or control from outside sources. The “eagle with a broken wing” adapted, learned, grew. A year later we were formally married. There were still “old issues” to deal with, but we made a wonderful team. --------------------- Over the next decade of growth and development, however, she came to recognize a need to experience independence as a competent adult – and wanted to be on her own. A year ago we decided to divorce to give her that opportunity. She did not leave abruptly, but divided her time between her own residence near mine on rural property we own in Arkansas – and a place in Texas three hundred miles away. --------------------- The day our divorce became final last August, I drove six hundred miles round trip to rescue her from a vehicle problem. More recently she spent several weeks in Texas. We had infrequent contact during the first of that time, but communication gradually increased. During that time apart we learned how important we are to each other – how much we depended on the other’s strengths and abilities. --------------------- Three weeks ago she moved back to Arkansas and back into our relationship – a new relationship with new understandings. We are better together than we have ever been. --------------------- What makes her a perfect partner for me? In the first place, she is highly intelligent and articulate. She understands complex matters and discusses issues beyond the mundane -- weather, television, celebrities, children, pets, possessions. --------------------- Second, she has become openly honest and forthright – a woman of integrity. I (now) have no doubts about her sincerity and her dedication to our relationship. --------------------- She does not worship invisible “gods” and does not structure her life by what is taught by self-identified “priests” and “prophets” (though her uncle – Warren Jeffs of FLDS infamy – now serving time in prison for sex crimes, is one of the supposed “highest disciples” – Google the name). --------------------- She does not glorify childhood or children or place relationships with children above or equal to relationships with adults (and has chosen to not produce children). She does NOT place relationships with animals anywhere near equal to relationships with humans. --------------------- She has no need to be entertained, does not care for television or movies, is not impressed by possessions or status or income – but is very “Down to Earth” and non-materialistic. She does not fixate on “beauty” and is not enamored of mirrors (though very attractive without effort or “war paint”, fake nails and fancy hairdo). --------------------- She is willing to work with me on whatever we decide to do – from building a house to cutting and splitting firewood (with her own chainsaw and maul) – to cooking and cleaning house. She is as appealing in logger boots and safety gear as in high heels and short skirt. --------------------- Is she “one in a million”? I think so.

Indiana State University, 1970
Indiana, United States - ABD Geography, Geology, E. Sci

No favorites -- quiet, non-invasive, background, instrumental, occasional vocal.

I have no interest in watching television -- which makes a lot of time available for actually doing things and a lot of experience that is not exactly typical.

Wide ranging non-fiction -- often alternative views of world affairs and history, or science and the environment.

The journey is the objective.