Ever since I was a kid, I always burned every bridge that was in sight, I never just set a small flame to them, nah they were always glorious conflagrations. Since the stroke, I haven't changed in that aspect. True, the bridges I now burn are done with a verbal type of fuel, but I haven't yet felt the need to bite my tongue.

My latest bridge burner was regarding my childhood friend. We've been friends since 5th grade. As adults over the years I'd get a nagging feeling that we didn't have much in common anymore except the fact of the passage of years.

Well she has gotten divorced and joined the dating scene in the last year and a half. So, I became her barometer of what I thought of the newest date. I've been inundated with one sided phone calls, emails, instant message conversations. It was getting overwhelming to give her the attention she was selfishly demanding. I was getting fed up reading cheesy emails and phony repartee. So I was asked for my opinion on one guy. Now this is a person who always asked for the truth. I have no problem handing out the truth, but I don't sugar coat it at all. Well turns out she didn't want the truth, guess I was a bit harsh, my excuse is menopause. So she says one thing gets mad, I of course had to have the last word, I had to burn that bridge. I was gleefully pouring written gasoline all over it.I was freed from one sided conversations, cheesy emails and the demands of my time. Now I know that friendship is a two way street, but I was sick of her acting like we were still in high school and god forbid I had other friends then her. So I felt a great sense of satisfaction burning this latest bridge. At first I did question my motives, it bothered me the level of satisfaction I got. But I am enjoying the freedom of "Do you think he will call me?" Gee, now I am convinced the stroke was a huge motivator in teaching me what is important in my life. It is one less person who I now have to listen to them whining. Just another person who pushed me to far.

Pam