A Single Thought, Fairytales Don't Always Last Forever

It has been officially announced, that after 52 years of marriage, Roy and Patricia Disney are getting divorced. And I’m having a hard time understanding it.

First of all, 52 years of marriage should stand for something. It should just stand, in my opinion. If you’ve been with someone 52 years and that doesn’t count the time spent dating it just doesn’t make sense to get a divorce. And to say that the reason is “irreconcilable differences,” well, that’s just a cowardly way out. Come on, none of us believe that after 52 years, you can’t reconcile your differences with your mate.

And second, this is the Roy Disney of the “Disney” that I love so much. The mouse (Mickey) and I have been tight for as long as I can remember. There’s no place on earth that I love more, except Horry County. Anything is possible when you’re at one of the Disney locations. I’ve never felt more optimistic about life and what it has to offer than when I’m there. The Magic Kingdom is the happiest place on earth.

All they have to do is go to Fantasy Land and spend a little time remembering the good times and I’m sure that their marriage might get a second go-round. Spend some time on Main Street, have your photo taken and just breathe in the magic that is there, and your life will be better. Watch the parade and laugh at the characters and see the fun they’re having dancing and singing you sing along. You have to smile and smile at the one you’re with how about it Mr. and Mrs. Disney, have you been to the parade lately?

They plan, according to attorneys, to treat the divorce as a collaborative law case, which means each will try to cooperate to reach a settlement out of court, according to the divorce papers. With the reported $1.2 billion dollar fortune, no prenuptial agreement and 52 years of wedded bliss between them, I doubt it. When love ends, it always seem to wind up costing a fortune, either in dollars or dignity, and most probably both.

Perhaps Roy and Patricia should spend some time with Mickey and Minnie, or Donald and Daisy; after all, they’ve been together longer than anyone, and I bet that they’d have some relationship advice to share. And, if Roy spent a little time with Prince Charming, perhaps he could still win his Cinderella’s heart back.

It’s sad to think that a lifetime can be ended by claiming “irreconcilable differences,” especially when it’s the family that has brought love and fulfilled so many dreams to so many people.

However, if Roy and Patricia are truly unhappy and can’t find the love they once shared, I do wish happiness for each of them. And I hope that somehow they can maintain a level of friendship that should never die after 52 years of togetherness.

And, I’m going to try to learn from all of this. While I’m traveling on this road looking for my Prince Charming, I’m going to ask a few questions. One is “What do you consider ’irreconcilable differences’?” Number two is, “Have you ever been to the Magic Kingdom?” And, three, “Do you believe in happily ever after?”

And, you know what else, I’d love to ask those same questions to Roy and Patricia Disney.

Comments? Contact me at reneewikstrom@yahoo.com.