OPINION
Dear Friends,
This is one of the rare departures from my usual political punditry.
What is love? That esoteric, fleeting emotion– a painful, powerful feeling that can often make or break us. Something I often wonder about as I am remarkably traveling into my golden years.
This morning while eating my Sunday morning eggs benedict at the famous City Diner in West Palm Beach, Florida, I noticed a young couple, probably in their mid-20’s, enter the restaurant and sit near me in a booth. He was not particularly an impressive specimen, while she was exceptionally attractive. Regardless, the affection, the touching, the smiles, the looks, were obviously apparent of some extreme, mutual admiration between the two young people. There was an impressive light shining off their heads. Maybe, they had just made love. Indeed, there was something really happening.
Lord Tennyson wrote “Better to have loved and lost, than not to have loved at all.” Love to me is having trust, having an admiration beyond someone’s faults, and unconditional caring for that person. Indeed I have had that in spurts throughout my life, but never a total fulfillment.
I am now alone with a beautiful cat that does love me unconditionally.
I admit it is not enough. I felt such envy and a moment of sadness while observing the passionate young couple. I wondered if in 50 years, after all the familiarities, successes, and failures, in sickness and in health, will they at 85 years of age walk down the street together holding hands. It always impresses me when I see that enduring love.
Regardless, beyond all the turmoil and pain of a horrible pandemic and a country seriously divided, those of you who have somebody… Please cherish them. You are very lucky and blessed.
Indeed, I have loved and I have lost and I am not sure Tennyson’s words are the truth. At times for me, the pain of that loss was unbearable, so not so sure it was better to have loved at all? Seeing that young, unconditional expression of love this morning stimulated that romantic side of me again. It briefly brought tears to my eyes. I am such an emotional softie sometimes. So be it.
As always, any thoughts or expressions are welcome and appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
JUDSON Bennett-Coastal Network