What Is Real Right Now

My daughter was married last October and I gave a speech at the reception. One piece of advice I gave was, "There will be days when the rest of your lives seems like a really long time and you will wonder what you got yourself into, but there will be many more days when you will not be able to imagine life without each other." My husband and I have been married 28 years, and I have lived this. My husband had a stroke 2 years ago at age 47 (he is doing fine), and the thought of living the rest of my life without him scared the hell out of me. Yet there are days when he still drives me crazy. Marriage is hard but so worth it!

Don't know how serious your problems are, but child-raising is a very strenuous time in a marriage. I'm saying a prayer for your family.

Admitting and identifying that there are some things that need worked on and challenges to be faced means you are out of the starting blocks. Stay strong, be open to changes and be true to yourself.
Thank you for sharing.

Keeping you all in prayer

Ali, I recently experienced the hardest 10 months of my entire life. I didn't know how I would make it to the next day. I reached out to my faith and my friends, don't ever underestimate the power of prayer. With God and love you can and will make it through the tough times. My prayers are with you. Remember YOU WILL land on your feet!

Ali my thoughts are going to you and your family. Marriage and relationships take a heck of a lot of work, lots of peaks and troughs. I hope you can sail through these seas together and come out the other side stronger.

I wish I had some really positive and uplifting response. Many others have said it more eloquently than m. I am sending prayers for strength, peace and grace your way. You are an amazing and inspiring woman.

So much love, from so many people, directed at you and your family, Ali. You guys will be in my prayers as well!

Ali, I always pictured you to have the *perfect* family with the perfect pictures and daily happenings that you post. I pictured you handled everything perfectly, kids perfectly behaved and everything just magically fell into place.Thanks for sharing with your readers such a vunerable side. That you are a real person with similar struggles of daily life and relationship, ups and downs. My respect and awe for you always continues to grow. May the compassion and strength your've always demonstrated guide you through these challenging times.

Ali, I am sending positive energy and love your way today. You have moved me to action in so many ways these past few years. My OLW this year is CARE. In caring for my health in response to one of your monthly prompts, I discovered a lump in my breast. I was diagnosed and had a mastectomy last month, and the outlook is very positive going forward. I have experienced the benefit of prayers, positive energy and healing thoughts myself this past month or two, and I'm delighted that I can do the same for you at this difficult time. One step at a time; and have faith. J xx

Oh Ali, my heart hurts for you. You helped me gather my thoughts over a difficult relationship to journal but now I can't think of anything to say that will help you. I will wish you strength and hope you both find the love again. As Theresa S. said "marriage is HARD". Yes it sure can be.

Thank you for always being a genuine inspiration. Letting us into your life. Showing us your messy office, sharing Simon's growth and all that has meant to you and your lives, Anna's spunk :), and now your struggles. We ALL have them and we ALL get through them but I think your character has never been more evident than in this post. thank you for continuing to share REAL life.

I sit here reading your post, and rereading it. Wondering what is going on....I know too well that feeling in your stomach when things are hard...I'm praying for you.

You are definitely in my thoughts, Ali. No relationship between to people is ever perfect - no matter what. I am very saddened to hear that you are having problems. I have never met you, but I can tell that you are a beautiful person inside and out. Hang in there. No matter what everything will turn out well. I am so glad that you obviously have strong family support.
With love...

sending you prayers. marriage is hard. it's the sticking it out that makes the difference. hugs!

God bless your family. You are special. Big Hug, Ilana.

Will definitely add you & yours to our prayers.
PS- Just returned from vacation in your Oregon. Loved it!!

Hi Ali. I will pray that you and Chris can reconnect and find a happy balance again. It is far from easy to do that in our busy lives, especially when you have young children. Our son and daughter are now 17 and 15 and we have often been disconnected as husband and wife over those years but I find that some time together, uninterrupted, putting each other first for a change has always helped us get back on track. I hope you can do that too. God Bless Ali. xx

Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way. As always, thank you for keeping it real.
(((HUGS)))

Ali,

I've been inspired by you for years. You've always been real, and today's post as much as ever.

Our journeys as wives and moms are so tough sometimes, and it helps so much to know we're never alone. Thank you.

Warm hugs and positive prayers are going out to you right now.

Your spirit will get you through.

Take good care,
Tracey

My prayers, positive energy and hope for every good thing to come your way!!!

Remember, you are amazing - look how much you have accomplished in your life - you will handle this new challenge with grace I have no doubt.

Hi Ali, long time reader and appreciator of you. Thankyou for you honesty and realness in this post. Your vulnerability is wonderful. We've all experiences that relational distance and it's not nice. Praying that you would have time together and in your own minds to work things through and strengthen your bond. Lots of love from Australia, Beck

I can't thank you enough for this post. I'm not sure exactly why, but reading it brought tears to my eyes. Maybe it was the simple fact of knowing that other people struggle like I struggle. That oftentimes life is filled with a mix of all things wonderful and difficult. Thank you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

You are in my thoughts and prayers, Ali. And sending thanks for Simon & Anna doing so well!

Sending you my warm thoughts and heartfelt thank you for being so real. Other people always make life look so easy ... I often wonder what I am doing wrong when it's hard.

Thanks for being so giving of yourself in this post. Sometimes whats real is amazing, and fun and joyous can also be hard and stressful and trying. I can totally relate - I never noticed life being tough, really, until I had my babies. It gets REALLY hard to do everything (even with a man who REALLY helps) and still have time and energy to connect with my hubby too. I think it's a struggle we all go through. It's really real and it's really hard sometimes. I'm absolutely praying for you. For peace and joy. I have a 3 year old daughter too - who seems to be on Anna's wavelength ;). It's not easy, lucky they're so cute ;)! God bless you Ali. You really touch peoples' lifes through your art and words and I know I'm grateful for that!!!