Is there such a thing as "happily ever after"?

This will come as a huge disappointment to all those idealistic young people with starry eyes and hopeful hearts, but no, that Utopian state of "happily ever after" is not to be found on Planet Earth.

Think about it. When you were a child, and your parents ruled your world, you couldn't wait to grow up. You thought then, you'd be as free as a bird, free to soar like an eagle and to do all the activities you were prevented from doing because other people considered you "too young".

The teenage years brought a little more freedom, but also more responsibility. The load of homework increased and it was difficult; there was never enough money to buy items you considered absolute necessities, but Mom and Dad still called the shots because they paid the bills, and as you were reminded many times, they weren't "made of money!".

Like most young people you thought: " Just wait until I finish school and get a job. I'll get my own place, spend my own money the way I want to, and have a blast!"

However, the early twenties weren't perfect either. You might have been out on your own, but the bills took up most of your salary. You were probably into the dating scene, but you found out it's not easy to find the partner of your dreams. Your probably had your heart broken a few times and you learned that cooking, washing and cleaning for yourself was not fun.

And you thought: "Just wait until I find my prince, (or princess), my soul-mate. We'll get married, buy a little house, start a family and live happily ever after." Wrong again.

The little house had annoying neighbors and always needed some repair or other. The children came with dirty diapers, worrisome illnesses, school problems, and seemingly endless whining and complaints, miniature replicas of you, yourself as a child.

Your soul-mate might put on a little weight, may not carry their fair share of the load of housework, may expect things from the relationship you're not prepared to give. Half of all marriages end in divorce these days, you know. Remaining married to one person can definitely not be considered " happily ever after". It takes hard work and dedication.

And you think: " Just wait until the kids are grown up. We'll recapture the romance we used to enjoy; we'll retire, we'll enjoy our grandchildren, we'll travel, we'll cash in our investments and finally be able to enjoy life. We'll live happily ever after".

Somehow, it never seems to work out that way. There may be elderly parents who need care, one of the children loses a job and moves back home, the stock market crashes, either you or your spouse may develop a chronic illness and not be able to enjoy retirement as much as you both had hoped. There may be a tornado, a tsunami or an earthquake that devastates your environment. Rest assured, it won't be "happily ever after".

Oh, there will be little islands of joy and fun along the way, but "happily ever after" does not exist in this life. Have you ever wondered why?

If we were perfectly happy here, we would have no need of a Supreme Being. We always need something to pray for, so we don't forget God. Whether it's a new bike, good marks on an exam, a suitable job, a loving spouse, healthy children. or a long and happy retirement, there are many things that we can't achieve on our own. We weren't meant to be perfectly happy on earth.

The catechism I studied as a child had a question: "Why did God make me?"

We had to memorize the answers in those days and I still remember this one. "God made me to know, love and serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him in the next."

That's where "happily ever after" will be found, living with God in heaven for all eternity. If we manage to manoeuvre all of life's pitfalls and temptations successfully, if we love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves, if we ask with faith for what we need and accept with humility and gratitude what God sends, then we have a good chance of living happily ever after in the next life.

"Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth, and you will get neither."  C.S. Lewis