67 replies to this topic

[Basslet]

[ If it is, then I might as well hang up my hat since I'm already 37 and have yet to experience what you describe. I hope it's not too late for me, or for anyone, regardless of their age. I believe it's only too late when one closes one's heart to the promise of love and all that it encompasses.

Well, you look about 25 in you photos! I didn't get married until I was 34. So I would say...there's always the possibility.

[Boatlawyer]

norm,

As always, your thoughts are profound and eloquently expressed, but I must admit to finding fault with the line I've bolded below: (If I've misunderstood, please accept my apologies.)

<snip>
I suspect that I will never have the luxury again of a true equal, loving, willing, partner.
That is a pleasure afforded the young.
Those of us long in the tooth and gray in hair think to hard about the process.
<snip>

I don't think age, or more specifically youth, is all that important. If it is, then I might as well hang up my hat since I'm already 37 and have yet to experience what you describe. I hope it's not too late for me, or for anyone, regardless of their age. I believe it's only too late when one closes one's heart to the promise of love and all that it encompasses.

I see where Norm's coming from on this, I think. I agree that as we get older we do tend to think too hard about the process. What hung me up (briefly) was I flipped out about my age, worried about dying alone and so forth. There didn't seem to be as much margin for error at 50 as there was at say, 20, or even 30.

On the other hand, as we get older we know more about ourselves and what we find acceptable, and with some introspection, know what others are likely to accept from us.

But, I don't understand, Norm, the reason you conclude that this acquired knowldge precludes finding a true equal, loving, willing, partner.

In fact, those of us who have had loving marriages, built families and other relationships, would seem to be better able to recognize it when it comes again!

Edited by Boatlawyer, 28 July 2006 - 08:01 AM.

[annasea]

If it is, then I might as well hang up my hat since I'm already 37 and have yet to experience what you describe. I hope it's not too late for me, or for anyone, regardless of their age. I believe it's only too late when one closes one's heart to the promise of love and all that it encompasses.

Well, you look about 25 in you photos! <snip>

norm,

As always, your thoughts are profound and eloquently expressed, but I must admit to finding fault with the line I've bolded below: (If I've misunderstood, please accept my apologies.)

<snip>
I suspect that I will never have the luxury again of a true equal, loving, willing, partner.
That is a pleasure afforded the young.
Those of us long in the tooth and gray in hair think to hard about the process.
<snip>

I don't think age, or more specifically youth, is all that important. If it is, then I might as well hang up my hat since I'm already 37 and have yet to experience what you describe. I hope it's not too late for me, or for anyone, regardless of their age. I believe it's only too late when one closes one's heart to the promise of love and all that it encompasses.

I see where Norm's coming from on this, I think. I agree that as we get older we do tend to think too hard about the process. What hung me up (briefly) was I flipped out about my age, worried about dying alone and so forth. There didn't seem to be as much margin for error at 50 as there was at say, 20, or even 30.

On the other hand, as we get older we know more about ourselves and what we find acceptable, and with some introspection, know what others are likely to accept from us.

But, I don't understand, Norm, the reason you conclude that this acquired knowldge precludes finding a true equal, loving, willing, partner.

In fact, those of us who have had loving marriages, built families and other relationships, would seem to be better able to recognize it when it comes again!

Boatlawyer,

We're thinking the same thoughts here. Thx for elaborating and phrasing better than I did!

[Photographic Mercenary]

Let me clarify my self.
I am a hopeless romantic, and damn proud of it.
I could most likely fall in love again at the drop of a ladies scarf.
Except for one thing.
I am still tragicly, passionatly, with all my heart still in love with my late wife.
Last Feb. was to have been our 25th wedding anniversery, this Sunday the 30th, is her 50th birthday.
I still bought her presents.
Slightly tormented, but not sick.
This one love I feel very lucky to have had.
I know people 1/2 my age that are older than me at heart.

I think the sound clip I attached might say what Darlene and I were like. (I hope it works?)

So be carefull my dear fair ladies, I may become that rouge, ronin, cavalier, that your mother warned you about.
Who knows there may be another that is willing to stand at my side as she did.

norm

[Basslet]

Let me clarify my self.
I am a hopeless romantic, and damn proud of it.
I could most likely fall in love again at the drop of a ladies scarf.
Except for one thing.
I am still tragicly, passionatly, with all my heart still in love with my late wife.
Last Feb. was to have been our 25th wedding anniversery, this Sunday the 30th, is her 50th birthday.
I still bought her presents.
Slightly tormented, but not sick.
This one love I feel very lucky to have had.
I know people 1/2 my age that are older than me at heart.

I think the sound clip I attached might say what Darlene and I were like. (I hope it works?)

So be carefull my dear fair ladies, I may become that rouge, ronin, cavalier, that your mother warned you about.
Who knows there may be another that is willing to stand at my side as she did.

norm

This brought tears to my eyes. I think she also was very lucky to have had you as a husband. I don't know how long ago she died, but honestly, it took me about 3-4 years before I even felt like dating again after my husband died.

[Photographic Mercenary]

No, Iwas the lucky one.
I said yes when she asked me to marry her.
I don't think the sound clip worked.
It was from the 1993 film "Much ado About Nothing"
The text is:

Benedick:
And, I pray thee now......tell me......for which of my bad parts did thou first fall in love with me?

Beatrice:
For them all together......which maintains so politic a state of evil......that they will not admit any good part to intermingle with them.
But for which of my good parts did you first suffer love for me?

Benedick:
Suffer love! A good epithet!
I do suffer love indeed, for I love thee against my will.

Beatrice:
In spite of your heart, I think. Alas......poor heart.
If you spite it for my sake, I will spite it for yours......for I will never love that which my friend hates.

Benedick:
Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably.

Darlene and I started out as Beatrice & Benedick.
Evolved into Rett & Scarlett.
We ended up like Rick & Ilsa.

The last sounds in the house before sleep every night is Sam singing "As time goes by."
Even the dog and cat don't begin to settle down, until they hear the tune, from that old upright piano, in a noisey bar, in Casablanca.

I miss the warm touch of a hand on my heart.
For now I am just a cold hearted soul that rules the night.

norm

[piscesgirl]

Norm, you are breaking my heart and making me cry! That is the sweetest most loving thing I have heard in a long time. It reminds me so much of the love between my mother and father. We should all be so lucky to experience that at least once in our lives. You are a dear soul who will never be alone for all the friends and family who are fortunate to have you in their lives.

[Photographic Mercenary]

Just so you know.
Darlene was diagnosed with Non-Small Cell Lymphatic Cancer on Feb 1 2005.
She passed away on May 11 2005.
It was a very intense 100 days.

I was so lucky to have loved her.
All I want is to hear her voice, and time will just slip away.
I'll fire up her blue MGB fill it with Jimmy Buffett tunes and go for a nice ride with her photo on the dash.
After that I am going to put a serious dent in some Pusser's 90 proof Royal Navy Rum.

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely, in an attractive & well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out & screaming....WHOA WHAT A RIDE!!!!!"

Now that was my girl!

It is so easy to be sad all the time and she would be really pissed if I was.

So if I bring to the table a bottle of rum with a dent in it, you'll know why.

norm