single frame: Hiking through Eagle Creek Park with my wife

A hike through Eagle Creek Park

Hiking through Eagle Creek Park with my wife
Pentax K10D, 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SMC Pentax-DA AL
2018

When you are single for as long as Margaret and I were, you get used to living your own life. She was a full-time single mom, her time given to taking care of her four children and working to support everyone. I was a single dad who saw his kids two nights a week and every other weekend and filled the rest of his life with career, a non-profit, and church.

When we met, our lives were already full. Overfull, really. It was going to be a joy and a challenge to weave our lives together. We were going to have to approach it thoughtfully and deliberately.

Unfortunately, we didn’t do that. Serious challenges came at us so fast and so frequently that we went into survival mode. We’d both survived difficult times before, as single people. That’s how we knew to do it.

By this summer we found ourselves living our lives in parallel because it was most efficient to do it that way. We didn’t see for a long time that it was hurting us.

Thankfully, we saw it before it hurt us too much. We’ve made some strong changes that have us jointly planning our time, saying no to too much time apart, and making much more time to do simple things together. Like walk through Eagle Creek Park.


Comments

12 responses to “single frame: Hiking through Eagle Creek Park with my wife”

  1. Olli Thomson Avatar

    All the best Jim. I hope things go well for both of you.

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      We’re going to be fine. We’re in this game together!

  2. Dan James Avatar

    Great to hear that you realised what was happening and turned it around before it was too late.

    On a somewhat less important note, good to see the K10D getting steady use.

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      The 18-55 is a good lens for this DSLR and I like shooting the combo. I just sold that 35/2; this camera just didn’t get on well with that lens.

      1. Dan James Avatar

        Oooh I bet you got a decent amount for that one. You might want to try the DA 35/2.4 one day, very light, very affordable and makes very impressive photographs. No wonder it’s nicknamed The Plastic Fantastic…

  3. DougD Avatar
    DougD

    Well done to see it happening, walks with spouse are always a good idea.

    Hopefully the challenges will slow in frequency…

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Noooooot so much. I’ll explain more later, but I lost my job a few weeks ago. The hits just keep on coming!

  4. susanJOY Hosken Avatar
    susanJOY Hosken

    Jim, thanks for this post. I am single and often tell my overly busy married friends to remember to make “dates” with their spouses to keep their marriage fresh and alive and special. Many have taken up the suggestion. sorry to read you have lost your job. I will do prayers for you now xoxo susanJOY

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      You have to find the way your partner feels loved, and love them that way as much as you can!

  5. Wayne Avatar
    Wayne

    Hello Jim,
    Easy for couples to be 2 ships passing in the waters of life.Life gets going and it doesn’t stop -so much so we dont stop to smell the air and appreciate the blessings together.
    I’m glad for you both-God has a way of reminding us to re-adjust for better blessings!
    The good thing is that we listen to Him!
    Have a great day and thank you for sharing your personal journeys- this one was a reminder for me and my wife too!
    Wayne S.

    1. susanJOY Hosken Avatar
      susanJOY Hosken

      Wayne, It was so nice to read your reply to this post thanking you susanJOY

    2. Jim Grey Avatar

      This is my second time around and I didn’t do it again just to be a passing ship. We will do this fully together!

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