anatomy of the post-divorce heart, part 2 (with special guests!)

My friend Jenn is one of a few, special people in my life who are "in the trenches" with me. I'd been sharing some of my favorite "self-help" stuff with her by email, and yesterday she wrote this to me:

Sorry that you are down, it is tough. We work, we take care of our kids and we have so little help and does anyone take care of us? Then we put our hearts out there and they get trampled. I know that there are good relationships out there and good men but I wonder if I will ever find someone special to share my life with. Why shouldn't you and I meet wonderful men? Why don't we? I wish I knew but hang in there, soon the kids will all be in school and so will we and the routine of the year help. You know that we are very lucky, we are pretty healthy, have great kids, secure jobs, family and friends. We are just missing that one special person to love.

As discouraging as this kind of situation is, at least Jenn and I are not alone. Two of my favorite single-parent bloggers have been writing about their frustrations with the process of finding a worthy partner. Mindy just posted an "order to the universe," inspired by David's mentioning on his wildly popular blog, Dad's House, that he had done such a thing in a Craigslist personals ad.

I've done lists like this over and over again; they range from the ridiculously particular to the more flexible and general. I understand the necessity of putting it out there, and I'm a fan of the ideas of Kathryn Alice and Arielle Ford, among others, who guide seekers in the process of drawing soulmate love to them.

Right now, I'm taking a break from dating--a "dating detox," if you will--and trying to rework my priorities, check in with myself. The new school year is starting, and I'm gearing up to teach five classes while still maintaining my physical, mental, and spiritual health.

I'm hoping to post here more frequently; I even have some ideas for a daily series in September. Stay tuned....