Single Again "Aftermath or Afterlife"

By: Kenneth Stepp

These two words have haunted me for a couple of days now. The aftermath is familier to me. I fell in love with the first girl I met. The afterlife was amazing. Magical even. I was perhaps, happier than at any other point in my life. I could lay next to her and stare into her eyes all day. Lost in the most amazing dimension that has ever been thought of. Completely and totally hers. For those that have been single a while. You know how this ended….. Painfully.

Then came the aftermath. I was crushed, confused, and lost. How could two people love one another that much and not make it work? Not try until they succeeded? You guys that have been on this journey a while know this one two. Because two people were not in love. One was. And that means pain is coming. The aftermath of one-sided relationships always end this way. To this day, it still stings. I can honestly say, I tried everything. From writing my fool heart away, to serial dating. It is my belief now, that time will be the healer. Hope may be a better word than belief.

On some level. I am now entering the afterlife once again. Meaning, I actually have a life now. I have “people” now. Places too. Two things I did not have before. These, along with a great deal of regret that I gave my whole heart away so readily to someone that was incapable of giving theirs back. It wasn’t her fault. She’d been single for decades. It hardens a person beyond repair. Regret that my rebound relationship was wasted. There is aftermath involved in regret as well. Most have a rebound relationship. They are unique and precious. I wish I had known. Yesterday I lamented how great my rebound relationship would have been had it been someone else. My life would look different today.

Rebounds can work. If love is mutual. Today, my love is adventure and travel. Meeting new people, seeing new towns, and learning about things I did not know. My life actually rocks today. Imagine waking up every morning with the freedom to choose a new town to explore. Now imagine getting paid to do it. Not bad huh? My life couldn’t get any better, unless I had a service dog. Not because I need one. But I love dogs and would love to take them into the restaurants I visit. He would be a Boxer, and love everyone. Yet another fantasy I guess.

At this moment I am sitting at a table under an umbrella outside one of my favorite little eateries, Marietta Pizza Company on Historic, Marietta square. I’m not a pizza freak. But, I drove almost two hours to visit them. How could I resist? It’s 80 degrees, sunny, and the sidewalks are full of humans to study. If it gets better than this, I can’t imagine how. In a few minutes, my friend, Patti will join me for lunch. I’ve been here over an hour. Lindsey is my server. She is another reason, this day rocks. Today, like most of my days. Is a good day. The ingredients are just that good. Freedom, people, great food, great service, great company, and great weather. Add a beautiful historical city, and it works every time.

They say life is what we make it. I believe that is only half right. Like all kitchens. There are only so many things to make your mix with. Find the sweet stuff, mix it well, time it perfectly. And never ever ever grow up completely. I am told all the time when I am on one of my adventures that I look like a little boy when I see new things. Hey, I feel like one too. If new knowledge, sights, and people don’t excite you. Then you need to find out why. Change that part of your life and LIVE!

k@kstepp.com

Founder, American Angel Works