I know it's a Hallmark holiday and all that other phony stuff, but romance is important. It helps seal the deal emotionally.
But finding the "right" person involves a whole lot of luck and fate. After all, we're not talking about rational choices here.
When individuals initially get together and form a couple, there's give and take on both sides. That never stops, but after awhile, in a successful, long term relationship, the individuals become secondary. The union or marriage itself becomes the living, vibrant, important thing. On this long road there have been curves and tunnels and switchbacks, but Joyce and I feel very lucky that we found each other and that our relationship has evolved to the point where we both understand that the union itself is the important thing. We do a little work on it every day.
Okay, enough of that.
Besides the pot of buttercups I bought her yesterday, here's two online Valentine gifts for Joyce today. A beautiful and unlikely love sonnet by Robert Frost, plus a song by Vince Gill.
The Silken Tent
by Robert Frost
- She is as in a field a silken tent
- At midday when a sunny summer breeze
- Has dried the dew and all its ropes relent,
- So that in guys it gently sways at ease,
- And its supporting central cedar pole,
- That is its pinnacle to heavenward
- And signifies the sureness of the soul,
- Seems to owe naught to any single cord,
- But strictly held by none, is loosely bound
- By countless silken ties of love and thought
- To everything on earth the compass round,
- And only by one's going slightly taut
- In the capriciousness of summer air
- Is of the slightest bondage made aware.
Vince Gill: Look at Us
That's beautiful Dan. Joyce is one very lucky lady for you to have put together such terrific selections.
ReplyDeleteWell, here's to you and Joyce, Dan. (clink!) You both are fortunate indeed. But... as it's often said: You make your own luck.
ReplyDelete"...Hearts stored with song & joke and warmer than a cloak against the cold" RLS
ReplyDeleteDid Bobby have you two in mind when he wrote that verse long ago?
Great post Dan. BTW, how long has it been for you and the Mrs.?
ReplyDeleteDeb, Thanks, you're most kind.
ReplyDeleteBuck, there's truth to that, but I still maintain that those choices (especially if made in youthful heat) aren't dependent on rationality. There's some chance, luck, fate, whatever you want to call it in there as well.
George, RLS was a little before our time, but he's on the mark when he says, "If nothing else he had,/He who has this, has all."
Cookie, This is our 51st year. Seems like only yesterday, we walked down the aisle.