Life on the other side of the fence.

I was asked a few years ago, whether I believed the grass was greener on the other side. To put the question in context, I should tell you that we were discussing marriage at the time, and I conceded that other meadows may indeed smell sweeter or appear more lush.

When I hear that great cliche, another one, involving glasses with rosy hued lenses, springs to mind. Perhaps it's the realist in me; the annoying voice which ruins the nail biting climax of a film by announcing, 'that building wouldn't have been in darkness even if the baddy had managed to find and sabotage the power supply. The emergency lights would have come on.' I feel inclined to point out the flaws in stylised scenarios - it helps me maintain a healthy appreciation for the life I have.

I don't wear specs with correctional OR rose tinted lenses. Sunglasses occasionally, yes, to cut out the glare, but nothing to distort my vision. I like to see a clear picture, not an airbrushed improvement on reality. The pages of Hello and OK magazines may depict the 'Happy (Celebrity) Families' in their perfect homes with their manicured green lawns, but does living the dream make them happy? Judging by the number of extra marital affairs, divorces and custody battles, I'd guess not.

I won't deny I've enviously watched Cribs on MTV, coveted the kitchens in my home styling magazines and aspired to the exotic holidays afforded by the rich and famous, however, without love and respect, none of life's material rewards would have any meaning for me. The love which once flourished in my field has been the victim of neglect, under-fertilisation and poisoning. Whether or not it's hardy enough to regain its original lushness, remains to be seen, but in the meantime, I'm free to skip around a few meadows and spend time winning back some love and respect from my kids.