Relationship Articles

Need advice on dating and relationships or tips on turning up the romance in your marriage? You'll find all kinds of helpful information here about love, romance, and relationships.

Relationships: Last a Lifetime


Stepping into a new position brought along a few surprises. People I grew up with wandered into my office, smiling a bit in surprise, and content to greet an old friend. I struggled with a few meetings, laughed through others, and cried after still more. My life was dancing before my very eyes, and I struggled with the reality of facing all those years. I knew when I focused on the mass of files stacked on every bare inch of my desk that I was in for a few surprises. The surprises came with familiar faces and well-known names.

An electrician who set our barn on fire in childhood grumbled at the thought of my doing his accounting, but left smiling, trusting me with his prized numbers. Another business owner parked in front of my desk to ask me questions and later left me his accounting. A chef, ripped through my office with purpose and poise, if not grace, leaving a wake of tumbled pencil holders, only to return and ask me a favor. The peer of my parents grumbled about my presence while begging me to explain depreciation to him, and reluctantly accepted my explanation, insisting later that I take care of his taxes.

Each understood the dynamic presented, suffered the excruciating principles, and accepted the concept of meeting progress at the expense of a bit of privacy. But, there was one more.

A treasure left for a Monday afternoon, when my day had gone awry, and my life wrapped tightly around a momentary crisis, he strolled into the office slowly, appearing lost. I greeted him with a smile. An old friend, one who lived just down the street. It had been his fault I fell off the horse, nearly breaking my arm when I was 7. His curls had been a source of mass frustration when my own hair tumbled in straight lengths down my back. I can't remember when I didn't know him.

"Where's my accountant?" He asked in confusion.

"He left. He relocated up north somewhere." I smiled understanding. "Can I help you?" I offered gently.

"I need some help with my payroll?" He answered slowly.

I handed him a folder and indicated it was done. He looked at the folder and said, "My wife always did it.""She had it well organized." I answered, smiling back at him. "It made it very easy to figure the numbers and organize everything."

He stared at the floor. I gathered the rest of his accounting, placed the important papers in a folder for him to take with him, and opened a page of numbered directions. "This will help you get things together so I can do the Fiscal Year books." I explained, pointing to the list.

"I don't know if I can do it." He spoke softly. I understood. "She always did that for me."

"If you need help, my number is at the top of the page, I'll come out and help you get it together." I smiled, encouraging him.

"I miss her," He breathed. His voice soft and weakened.

"It's tough, but I know you'll get through this." I smiled, my own eyes filling up with tears, for his loss. "You're not alone, my friend. You have many shoulders to lean on, and as much help as you need to get through this time. I'm there for you." I want to reach over and tussle the curls I was once so jealous of. But I sit poised behind my desk.

As he left, I walked him to the door, patted his shoulder, and gave him a caring hug, the kind only old friends are allowed. Tears dripped down my cheeks as I watched him walk to the truck, and disappear down the street. Youth ebbed that moment, and an understanding that requires years of experience erupted through the calm, breaking the silence in a heart felt sob as I turned back to my desk.

His life partner was gone, he was alone, the lone wolf walking through the forest that is life, without the one he cared more about than himself, for many years. Suddenly, the job didn't matter. My career made no difference at all. I only wanted to share a moment of living with my family, a bit of hope with someone around me, and the day. Just one more day. I prayed for a day without loss, or pain, or crisis, for my friend. I prayed for a moment of loving memory that would bring a smile to his lonely face.

I long to see the freckles crinkle into a grin, one more time.

Copyright © 2005 - Jan Verhoeff

Jan Verhoeff brings heart to the center of business. A staple of relationships, the heart and soul are required for building a successful business. Visit her at eBiz Brand Performance.


MORE RESOURCES:

New York Times

Money and Olympics key to NBA in London says NBA commissioner
The Canadian Press, LONDON - Oct 10, 2008
"It's not about whether we have a league, it's about growing our sponsor relationships, our merchandise relationships, our television relationships, ...
NBA and Partner to Help Build 12 Arenas in China New York Times
NBA KEEP EUROPE AT ARM'S LENGTH Sportinglife.com
NBA Europe plans scaled back on credit crisis guardian.co.uk
Palm Beach Post - Daily Mail
all 73 news articles


Photo exhibit at church honors same-sex relationships
The Capital Times, WI - 10 hours ago
A photo exhibit featuring partners in same-sex relationships will be on display beginning Sunday at First Congregational United Church of Christ, ...


Looking to strengthen family ties with 'sister cities'
Boston Globe, United States - 20 minutes ago
Decker said she began "taking a practical look at how the relationships are formed, how they're sustained, and how we can create mechanisms in the city that ...


Amy Schalet: On teen pregnancy, inhibitions are part of the problem
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - 2 hours ago
National surveys show that most Dutch parents accept that young people choose to have sex in committed relationships during their later teens. ...


IBNLive.com

Pitfalls of legalising live-in relationships
Merinews, India - Oct 10, 2008
Maharashtra government recently passed a motion to legalise live in relationships. This motion has far reaching consequences, which the government seemed to ...
It may get easier for live-in couples here The Statesman
'Indian society does not believe in live-in relationship' Daily News & Analysis
Women in live-in to be given wife's status: Maha govt IBNLive.com
Indlaw.com - Daily News & Analysis
all 6 news articles


Britain wants constructive Iceland relationships
Reuters - Oct 10, 2008
LONDON, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Britain said on Friday it had always wanted a constructive relationship with Iceland, a day after a row broke out over how to ...


Funds Looks To Rework Prime Broker Relationships
DW Online, NY - Oct 10, 2008
Fund managers are seeking to re-address the relationship with their prime brokers, when scripting over-the-counter contracts, as fears over counterparty ...


Washington Post

Students focus on personal relationships for Yom Kippur
Daily Kent Stater, OH - Oct 9, 2008
In the following 10 days, each person goes through a series of prayers and reflections exploring his or her personal relationships, according to ...
On This Holy Day, We Seek Forgiveness Richmond Times Dispatch
High Holy Days at hand Lompoc Record
Yom Kippur a time for introspection Register News
Contra Costa Times
all 119 news articles


Rebuilding relationships is topic of new class
Deseret News, UT - 23 hours ago
If you've ended a love relationship, you are. Christ United Methodist Church is offering a new class, "Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends." It is held ...


Maharashtra to legalise live-in relationships
Times of India, India - Oct 10, 2008
This amendment would cover the interests of women involved in polygamous or live-in relationships, say officials. The only catch is that the state has not ...
Maharashtra Govt Gives Its Consent To Legalise Live-In Relationships TopNews
Maharashtra's 'Live-in' proposal gets mixed response Expressindia.com
Maharashtra to legalise live-in relationships MSN India
all 16 news articles

Relationships - Google News


Home | E-cards | Desktop Wallpaper | Contact | Relationship Articles | Privacy | Add to Favorites | Tell a Friend | Free LoveBugMail | LoveBug Store | Site Map

Copyright ©2007 LoveBugCards.com