“And, On Those Cold Winter Nights, Horace”

I love the song "So Long, Dearie" from "Hello, Dolly". I used to often think of this song after I left my first husband. It was Dolly Levi's parting remarks to the miserly Horace Vandergelder (I often made – and make – reference to my ex's stinginess. In fact, each Christmas I wait for him to be visited by the three ghosts.)

I found out that he is now dating his own Dolly Levi, someone who understands that "Money is like manure, it is not worth anything until it is spread around, encouraging little things to grow." I am hoping that she can have some effect on my ex, and possibly, finally, shame him into spending a bit more money on his only son.

Maybe I'm not supposed to enjoy this, but, I'll admit that I do. I believe in the Rolling Stones lyric "you can't always get what you want…but you get what you need". I've said it before that Karma is a bitch; there is just something to appreciate in seeing it come around. I know others will experience theirs (as I have experienced my own!) Life has a way of giving you what you need, and if you don't learn the lesson the first time, there's always plenty more lessons it is willing to give, until you throw your hands up and say "Okay! I give! I'll learn whatever you need m to learn!"

The best thing about these lessons? Once learned happiness soon follows!