Happy Endings

A friend of mine suggested we get a massage yesterday. No one is enjoying being unemployed more than this chick. I took her up on it. As the guy was going in on my feet, I had the odd thought of those seedy places where men finish a massage with a “happy ending.” If you don’t know what that is, Google it.

I started to think more about happy endings and how that term applies to so many things.

Of course there’s the obvious sexual happy ending. Yay! Gotta’ give credit where credit is due. But, at the end of my pregnancy, my beautiful and healthy son emerged, signaling a happy ending beyond imagination. He finished his long years of elementary school, then painful ones in high school, and today he’s in college happily doing what he loves — making films

Then there’s the happy endings of relationships. I’ve had those that were saddest days of my life. But in the end, it seems the ending was the thing that would bring the most happiness longterm. At least that’s what we tell ourselves.

I’ve had jobs end, and I can say with a lot of assurance that when those come to an end, it’s always pretty happy — maybe scary, but also very happy. The prospect of the next thing, bringing with it all the hope for more learning, better money, unlimited creative outlet, puts into perspective all the things about the old job you really wanted to change, but knew you never could.

I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t wax poetic about the romantic happy endings I dream about. When again someone will sweep me off my feet with his humor, sex appeal, smarts, and genuine kindness. Hey, a girl can dream can’t she?

Lastly, there’s the happy ending we all hope for when our ticket’s up. A peaceful and loving end to a very long and happy life.