Why I'm on my twevlth remote control...

When my husband and I married 17 years ago, we were the first to marry out of our group of friends.
Within a few years, we were attending weddings almost every month, and by the end of the decade, most of our friends were all married.

I knew then, like I know now, not all our friend's marriages were going to last. I mean really, when your soon to be husband is arrested two towns over a month before the wedding for soliciting a prostitute...well, you get the picture.

Now almost 17 years later, Hubby and I are still married but most of our friends are now divorced, separated or living in horribly dysfunctional marriages.

Last year one of the few childhood friends I still keep in touch with was arrested for spousal abuse. Although she was the one arrested for the abuse, her husband is no saint, and most of the abuse in the marriage is perpetrated by him (physical, psychological, and verbal etc...).

Seriously, who hasn't thought about stabbing their spouse with a screw driver?
Whatever is handy, I guess. And even though I joke, it was no joke when the cops showed up and arrested her on her front lawn in front of her kids.

I've been tempted to throw a punch or two but usually I just end up throwing the remote across the room. Like I said, whatever is handy and near by.

She called last week to say she had completed her one year of probation and anger management class.

Honestly, what do you say? What's the protocol here, people? Do I send her a Hallmark card congratulating her on her twelve months of abuse free living? Do I send her one of those pretty handpainted screwdrivers I see at Ace Hardware or Season 1 of Cops?

Any suggestions?

Maybe next time I feel like smothering the Hubby in his sleep because he's snoring too loud, I'll take a moment to be grateful the remote control isn't sharp and pointy.