Fractured © Lynette Sheppard
Love Will Keep Us Together – But How?
Closeness in intimate relationship is more than just physical. It’s emotional and mental as well. What constitutes connectedness on a day-to-day basis? Shared interests and tasks create an atmosphere for feeling connected. For some Venuses, the children once provided such a focus. However, the emptying of the nest means new linkups need to be found. Other Venuses have been focused on helping their husbands with business or work projects, yet now are questioning whether they wish to continue in these endeavors or to search for interests of their own that stimulate them in new, creative ways. The first questions for midlife goddesses, who have traditionally as family nurturers (womb-men) been absorbed in the lives and interests of their loved ones, are “what do I really want?” “What are my interests and desires, independent of others?” “ If I weren’t trying to please, what would I do, try, be?”
We invite you to join us and listen in on the initial conversation:
Theresa-Venus – “It’s hard when your partner is so into physical activity. I feel like if I don’t engage in physical pursuits with him, we’ll lose some of our connection. He’ll just do those things with other friends, and we’ll drift apart. We’ll lose some of the connection that comes from shared interests. And I also don’t want him looking at me thinking, ‘Boy she’s getting old, she’s slowing down.’”
Beej-Venus – “I tried to learn golf to be with my husband more. Yet he won’t try ballroom dancing or some of the things I’m interested in. It seems to me that we better have SOMETHING in common for our golden years.”
Jane-Venus – “I go skiing to spend time with my husband, because he loves it. But if I’m really honest with myself, I don’t want to ski the runs he enjoys – it’s scary.”
Lynette-Venus- “So where’s the balance between doing what we want vs spending time with them? How much is quality time and how much is based on our preoccupation with disappointing them?”
Wow, big questions! We realized that we might have to ponder these and others for a while. Are we spending time together to strengthen and nurture our relationship? Do we even enjoy the things we are doing with our spouses? Are there other ways to connect? What do we really want?
Sandy-Venus claimed that she has been less plagued by this issue. “I always knew how to balance my own needs and interests with my spouses. I’ve only dated four men in my life,” she quipped. “Of course, they were in thirty seven different bodies.” The Venuses snorted with laughter.
Courtney-Venus was especially quiet during this interchange. “What if you’re not sure you want to forge a new relationship? What if it’s not meant to be?” The rest of the goddesses turned their full attention to her. “I’ve been with this man for 5 years now, and at first it was really great. Most of the time, it’s still good. But he doesn’t like my children.” A chorus of “He’s outta here.” “It’s over.” ensued.
After the hubbub quieted, she explained that her children were grown. Only recently had one moved back home, coming and going “like a ghost”, still managing to annoy him by being in his ‘space’. “Holidays are painful, because I love a big family get-together for Thanksgiving and Christmas – and he hates it.”
Okay, Venuses are about support and the search for truth. We asked her to verbalize the pros and cons of remaining in this relationship. Although as a group, we felt that the kid issue was non-negotiable, a deal breaker, the decision to go or stay was Courtney-Venus’s and hers alone. Our job was to help her find a little clarity. The more she talked, the more she defined what wasn’t working. “I feel like I’m always guessing. What did I do now that I didn’t know about?” “Still,” she sighed. “ A lot of the time things are stable, even fun.” Finally, Bobbi Venus asked a pointed question. “How do you feel when you come home and see his car in the driveway – are you excited or disappointed?” Courtney’s eyes widened, “I feel sick to my stomach.”
There wasn’t any more to say. In this way, the Venuses were able to support one of our own in a difficult examination of her life and where it was headed, through listening, prodding, and caring.
Exhausted, we went to bed.