Well, this would be a good time to do some reminiscing. They say this sort of thing is always good for the soul. But sometimes I have to wonder if I even have a soul left. I guess what comes to mind when I think of our family pre-crisis is the ongoing strife between Michael and me. Mr. and Mrs. Michael David Steele. It has sort of a distinguished flair, don't you think? We'd been married for 25 years, more or less successfully. But the last 10 years had become increasingly contentious between us. And sometimes it could be downright nasty. It got to be sort of a boring routine. Mike and I would be going along our merry way, and all of a sudden we'd have a big blow-up over something insignificant. He'd yell, and because it's the way I handle his anger, I'd cry. Then I'd set about trying to figure out why Mike was angry and how to placate him, so I'd try to explain myself. When he didn't listen, I resorted to sending notes and letters. It was only a lot later that I finally realized he was all sulky because he hated my letters. When angry, he would ignore the family and strike out at me, while I regrouped and tried to stay out of his way. He had an office in our basement, and that's where he'd go to hide out from me and the children. It was very effective- he'd get up early, go to the office and stay all day, refuse to eat with the family and go to bed early to avoid me. Our discussions never really solved anything because all Mike wanted to do was hide his head in the sand and wait for the storm to blow over. Since when does blowing over mean no destruction or injuries? Or even that the harm was on the surface? Gradually, the argument would calm down, but not before some major damage control was necessary. We’d have a period of reconciliation where all was sweetness and light. However, the peaceful times became shorter and shorter as our fights worsened, and communication between us virtually ceased. The previous summer had been the worst in our marriage, but you would think having a young son survive a disastrous hit and run accident and come out relatively unscathed would make all of appreciate each other and put minor differences aside. Well, not in our family. But that's another story. Until next time. ****Julie