Death of a Shared Past, or Why Fluid Dynamics Makes Me Smile Alone

Several years ago, my then husband and I were on the interstate heading out to our weekly Costco run. The roads were packed and traffic was doing that infuriating start-stop thing where we averaged about .87 mph. I took that opportunity to share the information from an article I had read that applied the theory of fluid dynamics to traffic congestion (disclaimer for those new to the site: I am a geek). I was excited about the research, animated. I used the cars around us to demonstrate the ideas in the article. He thought I was bit nuts. From that point forward, every time we were stuck in traffic, he would make a joke about “damn fluid dynamics.” It became part of our shared past.

I am an only child and I have lost contact will all of my childhood friends. My ex was the only person in my peer group that spanned across the decades of my life. I do not miss him, but I do miss the shared past. I now have entire mental storerooms of jokes and remembrances and no one to share them with. I am building a new shared past with my current partner, but, by definition, it takes time to build a history.

But for now, when I am stuck in traffic, I think of fluid dynamics and smile alone.

Thank you for sharing!

5 thoughts on “Death of a Shared Past, or Why Fluid Dynamics Makes Me Smile Alone

  1. Tovah – Israel – Certified Substance Abuse and Addictions Professional, (CASAP) Although retired I still do voluntary work in my profession. For many years I've been a natural health enthusiast, using natural remedies and eating healthy natural organic food. I'd like to share some of my experiences about growing Organic Vegetables in small spaces, indoors and out.
    Divorce Recovery Solutions says:

    Yes it’s quite amazing how we experience exactly that……those little things that only he& I knew about. Tovah

  2. timzauto – My name is Tim...I like to write...riding this roller coaster of life has given me insight on many different things, I welcome any and all comments and try to return the same so please read . share and comment COPYRIGHT… ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This blog contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher.
    timzauto says:

    I know that feeling very well…..

  3. A book I very much like is titled “All My Friends Are Going To Be Strangers” but for the life of me I don’t know if it is about looking backward or forward or both.
    As I move through life my old friends become astranged while strangers become my new friends.

Leave a ReplyCancel reply