This is sort of off the regular topics of Step Talk but my dear wife retired as a church organist today. She is 60 and has been playing the organ in church for about 50 years (fifty years!) I could never stick with anything that long!! She started turning pages for nuns when she was 7. She's played in a lot of churches over the years and probably married and buried over 500-1000 people.

For most of our marriage the income she made playing the organ has been important - and all hers. We are finally to a point where she can slow down and relax. She won't have to go to sleep early on Saturday nights anymore!!! And, we have Wednesday nights back!! She really deserves a rest after a half century of service in many churches.

She and I have both benefited from the support of the people in the churches she's played in. She was also a teacher for many years and it was very hard for her. The people of the church always made her feel worthwhile and that they were glad to have her music.

She's also been a great BM to the skids SM. Their relationship has always been respectful and supportive. The skids stepmom hasn't been through any of the drama that people here have been through. It's really benefited the skids since most of the arguments have been between me and their father.

The biggest "secret" to success as a stepparent is to marry well. My dear wife was raised catholic and she's already got one strike on her record. She does not want a second strike!! Sorry, sometimes success is requires a bit of luck