Did I really believe that a straight path would be more interesting? It would be easier to close my eyes and keep plodding. But then I would miss the whole ride. As it is I barely dare to blink. 

 

If I tried to look at the trajectory of our marriage, even I would not be able to connect the dots, and I was there. How could anyone else? This underscores for me the fruitlessness of trying to evaluate another person's life.

 

Now I say that in the relative clarity of a summer morning after a full night's sleep. But in my less lucid moments, the insidious judgments come slithering in, like eels into a river.

 

"Why did she come alone? Where is her husband? Are they having trouble?"

 

"Their kids are too rebellious. They should make them toe the line."

 

"Another job change? Can't they pick one thing and stick with it?"