Life's (not) funny that way

March 7, 2010 was 25 days ago. We were going across country on Amtrak's California Zephyr to California. The trip was perhaps the best in my life. Amtrak is an experience everyone should try (if you can afford getting a room). Seeing the country where there are no cars, no roads, no Walmarts was surreal. California itself was everything I thought it could possibly be. We toured islands, beaches, hiked panoramic coastal trails, and ate seafood at Fisherman's Wharf.
March 17 was 15 days ago. I got married to the love of my life, my soul mate. I was extremely nervous, a funny sight if you know me. And then we came home.
We returned to life on life's terms. My spouse had been laid off. Our budget was virtually exhausted. Our refrigerator and car's gas tank were empty. We've adjusted to married life. We are adjusting to poverty. Life's (not) funny that way. To use a tired cliche, It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. A ray of sunshine has been the generosity of my friends. One donated food, another tried to slip me the money she had in her pocket. Tears rolling down my face, I tried to give it back to her. She wouldn't let me. I just said thanks and wished her a Happy Easter.
I won't go into the emotional turmoil this has been causing. First I don't know you, second, that's not what I want to remember when I read this in the future. It will get better. We both know that. Money comes and goes. Jobs come and go. Love endures.