Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time there was a Princess. OK she wasn't actually real Royalty, but her dad and her Uncles treated her like a Princess. Unfortunately, this did not prepare the Princess for the Real World. Those who coddled and spoiled her meant well, they really did love her.
The Princess met a Toad, She believed all the Fairy Tales that told her if she kissed the Toad and loved the Toad enough, he would become a Prince. This was her first realization of "The Big Lies" and it broke her heart. The Toad remained a Toad.
The Princess traveled from Kingdom to Kingdom, searching for her Prince. She was a kind, loving and trusting Princess, which made her Prey for every Silver Tongued Devil who wanted her Beauty but not her.
The Princess soon began to question, "Am I become a Slut or a Sap?".
Finally, the Princess made a Friend, and this Friend, although not a Prince, did want her and Married her. It was a Wonderful Marriage at first. They shared dreams of growing old together.
But then, things changed. After many years, the Husband/Friend seemed to grow tired of The Princess and the Princess suffered many disappointments. It became clear that the Husband/Friend was pushing the Princess away.
Sadly, she left the Husband, her dreams dashed.
The ending of this story is actually the beginning of a new Story for The Princess. She is learning, finally, who she really is. She is learning to love herself. Not in a narcissistic way, rather The Princess is finding her own voice, her own Path, not a voice and path imposed upon her.
She still yearns for her True Prince, Incurable Romantic that she is. But in the meantime, the Adventure of her New Life, her Own life, is giving her fulfillment, Hope and Happiness.

MaryAlice