war of the roses

recently i was at someone's house for a small gathering. they - said home owners - are in the middle of a divorce yet are still living together.

she was with all of the guests, eating, laughing, enjoying her time. he, was in and around the house - was barely introduced to the guests, and seemed to want to be a part of something that he only half-heartedly invited to - in his own house.

they are both in their 50's - perhaps he was near or at 60. and have been married for close to the entire span of my life. and it's now over.

she was joking about finding a cute cyclist man (speaking to the choir!!)... BUT did he hear that? it was said in a loud voice.

awkward.

i was sad.

how can a relationship make it through multiple decades and then fail at an age when you're finally able to enjoy time together - kids are grown up, out of the house. house is largely paid for. how can it fail then?

is this what we have to look forward to? tip-toing around each other under the same roof? multiple decades of working together and being in love dissolved via certified mail and a few signatures. being back in the singles scene at 50+ trying to find that right one who you can share your life with and learn to love 'for better or worse'.

i hope not.