Real Life or Reality?

Over the years I have been worried that my sister isn't sharing a close relationship with reality. She divorced her husband, which wasn't a problem for me, because she loved her job and didn't want the responsibilities that a husband brings. I didn't buy it but it's her life.

Three years later, I just found out she has given notice at her job. A job that pays a 6 figure salary plus many perks. Seems she is bored with the work, so she is going to take 6 months off to see what she wants to do. She's talking about becoming a teacher, something she's never done or has a clue what the job is really like. She's convinced she can live on $40,000.00 a year. Maybe she can but her children, who always have the latest ipod, iphone and designer clothes are in for a few adjustments. As is her maid, interior designer and high end clothing shops.

The reason we, our family, thinks she is taking the 6 months off working is to get married. It will take some time to help her suspected, soon to be husband moved from another state. Of course I'm questioning the wisdom of marrying a guy you've only spent every other weekend with for the past year. Then have him quit a successful job, in this economy no less.

As if living with someone for the first time isn't enough stress, they will have to deal with both of them being with out jobs, him moving way away from his family, her trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life, the family adjusting to a new financial reality as he tries to establish a permanent day to day relationship with her two girls. Tough for anyone.

I keep telling myself it's her life, it is. She has every right to pursue happiness, she does. There is nothing wrong with getting married, a career change or deciding money isn't the key to happiness. I get it... but, I can't shake the reasons she gave for ending her last marriage. The ten years she wasted of a good guys life to live a life that is the exact opposite of what she is claiming will make her happy today. I worry for her her new husband that will give up almost everything for her while the things she is giving up are for her own pursuits. I don't understand why she can't take these changes in steps instead of all at once.

Of course I will support her in her pursuit of happiness. That's what family does. There is even a big part of me that thinks it's courageous, noble, and exciting, but then the other part of me keeps reminding me about reality. You know, reality, that son of bitch that refuses to play by our rules.