My Friend Maria Shriver

I was reading today about the unraveling of the marriage of Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger.   They separated several weeks ago shortly after Arnold finished being governor of California.  Now we know that at that time he told Maria that he had fathered a child with a worker in the family home 10 years previously who he has been supporting since birth.  This is after many years of complaints in the media of Arnold's sexual misbehaviours.  They have four children aged 13-21 who must be very aware of the implications of this situation and it's effect on the public.  In addition, both of Maria's parents have died in recent months.

I find myself grieving for this lady.  She comes from the Kennedy family on her mother's side, a family that has known such high degrees of fame and infamy, of influence both wholesome and unwholesome for America.  She gave up a career in broadcasting to serve and support her husband in his political endeavours, and has made her husband and children her focus in the last decade.  She has in short order lost her parents, her home, her marriage, and her good name.  She must now shepherd her children and her own wounded soul through these next stages in public and private.

One of my life values I learned from Maria Shriver. At a crucial moment in my life I heard her say that a woman can do everything, but she can't do it all at the same time.  Sometimes she has to let go of one thing that she cares for very deeply to be able to do the next thing that she cares for very deeply.  I took this to heart, and it has saved me from spreading myself too thin, or hanging on to something after it's time has past.  Thank you for your wisdom, Maria.

At the same time, I wonder how a strong, wise, powerful woman like Maria chose to commit herself to a man who obviously did not demonstrate a faithful spirit and lifestyle before she even met him.  Could she not find someone to match her personal and spiritual values?  Did she think this was the best she could do?  Did she think that she was strong enough to change him into what he should be?

I shake my head, but I grieve for her all the same.