THE QUOTE

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed  is always to try just one more time.
—Thomas Edison

THE LOVE NOTE

K—

I remember once years ago when Emily was a little girl and you and I were having a pretty heated "go 'round". She said to me, "Dad, I don't like it when you and mom fight. I'm afraid you're going to get a divorce." That surprised me, because even though we could sure irritate each other at times (to say the least sometimes!) the thought of actually ever giving up or even divorcing was never on the table. Even though I was upset with you still, it was comforting both to her and me to reassure her by speaking the truth: "Honey, you're mom and I are really mad at each other. Sometimes you and I get mad at each other, right? But we still love each other even though we're mad, right? Well your mom and I love each other even though we are mad. We would never divorce each other. Ever." It was good for her to learn that thre could b conflict and stability.

—J

THE GREAT RELATIONSHIP PRINCIPLE

Fight for "Us": What could be more romantic than saying, "On you, I never give up. For us, I fight til the end." Edison persevered until he got it right. Hang in there. If something isn't working in the marriage, try something different, but don't get rid of the marriage.