Huh? Really?

[HollyS]

Al and Tipper Gore are going their separate ways - - after 40 years??????

What the heck could happen after 40 years? Boredom?

 

[Porridge]

I always wonder this too! What could break you after 40 years that you haven''t survived already?!?

I suppose one of them must have changed...

 

[MissMina]

Apparently they have been apart geographically and interest wise for awhile. Maybe one or both wants to find a new relationship legally rather than having an affair.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Eh, living such a public life probably takes a toll.

Coincidentally, I think this article explains at least some of it; http://edition.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/03/23/brizendine.male.brain/index.html?iref=allsearch

 

[luv2sparkle]

This makes me so very sad for their whole family. I can''t imagine what that would be like.

 

[gemgirl]

I feel sad about them splitting up. It sort of doesn''t make sense after forty years.

 

[february2003bride]

I was shocked when I read that on CNN and more shocked that it''s them and not the Clinton''s.

 

[Iowa Lizzy]

Whaaaaaa?

My first reaction was "Aww, that sucks."

My second reaction was "Maybe he caught her throwing away recyclables."

I apologize. That was unnecessary and tasteless.

 

[charbie]

Date: 6/1/2010 9:55:55 PM
Author: Travel Goddess
Whaaaaaa?


My first reaction was ''Aww, that sucks.''


My second reaction was ''Maybe he caught her throwing away recyclables.''


I apologize. That was unnecessary and tasteless.

and

 

[Should Be Studying]

Date: 6/1/2010 9:55:55 PM
Author: Travel Goddess
Whaaaaaa?


My first reaction was ''Aww, that sucks.''


My second reaction was ''Maybe he caught her throwing away recyclables.''


I apologize. That was unnecessary and tasteless.

That is hiliarious! (Your reaction, not their separation).

On a more serious note, I was reading an article about their relationship (from people.com, OK not the best source), and it made me kind of sad. They seemed to be best friends and true partners. Who knows what their relationship was really like, but I am sure it is not an easy situation.

 

[zhuzhu]

I am sure it is a good decision for them, no matter what the reasons are.

 

[ksinger]

If I''ve learned anything in my life, it is that people are complicated, marriages are intensely personal, and NOTHING is ever completely decided or set as long as breath is in us. I truly don''t even really speculate on what splits a marriage, or how things "appear" to the outside. I don''t know what is sending them in different directions, but I wish them the best, that it is amicable, and that they remain friends.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Date: 6/2/2010 7:26:00 AM
Author: ksinger
If I''ve learned anything in my life, it is that people are complicated, marriages are intensely personal, and NOTHING is ever completely decided or set as long as breath is in us. I truly don''t even really speculate on what splits a marriage, or how things ''appear'' to the outside. I don''t know what is sending them in different directions, but I wish them the best, that it is amicable, and that they remain friends.

So true. We could speculate all day and never know the truth but it would seem to me that after that many years, kids grown, they could live their own separate lives in the context of a marriage. I guess for whatever reason that option doesn''t work for them. I can only wish them the best and my thoughts are also with their children. I''m sure it''s quite a blow to them as well.

 

[lilyfoot]

Date: 6/2/2010 7:26:00 AM
Author: ksinger
If I''ve learned anything in my life, it is that people are complicated, marriages are intensely personal, and NOTHING is ever completely decided or set as long as breath is in us. I truly don''t even really speculate on what splits a marriage, or how things ''appear'' to the outside. I don''t know what is sending them in different directions, but I wish them the best, that it is amicable, and that they remain friends.

Huge ditto!

Honestly, I don''t see anything weird or wrong about two adults making the decision to end their marriage, regardless of how long they''ve been married. In fact, I would think the shorter time you''ve been married the "weirder" a divorce is, KWIM? Like someone else said in this thread, after 40 years, they''ve probably gone through every fathomable situation together, so now, I''m sure they''re just doing what''s best for them.

 

[joflier]

I had a friend who''s parents got divorced, and had been married for about 40+ years. It was shocking to say the least. But anyhow, the kids had all moved out of the house, and then he retired. And they suddenly realized that with an empty house and careers ended, all they had left was to spend time with each other, and neither one wanted to do that. They just always had distractions and other things to fill the days until that point.

 

[Irishgrrrl]

I think this is so sad.

I''m a paralegal and I deal with a lot of divorces. It''s pretty rare that we have a divorcing couple who have been married for decades (like the Gores), but when it does happen, I always feel so bad. Somehow, a couple getting divorced after being together THAT LONG is just sadder to me than a couple divorcing after being married for only a few years.