When I was interviewed by K for the Lost Spaces Podcast he asked me (in response to something I’d said) ““what is love?” My off the cuff my response was “the greatest joy and the greatest heartache all wrapped in one” (at 26:04 in the edited interview).
While I might be able to provide a more nuanced definition today, I stand by my description. And today I make note of one of the greatest joys of love.
Exactly one year ago today, I stood in front a select group of family and very close friends and formally gave my heart to the man who already had it. Below I’m sharing the ‘preamble’ to my vows:
“22 years; twice the powerful number 11. Jason has lived through me at my best, and (hopefully) my worst. Through richer, poorer, sickness, work absences and the side effects of various meds, he has supported me and kept me on this side of the edge of sanity.
My readings today are from the Songbook of R&P as well as that of Paul Williams.
“There are those who want to blame us
Point a finger, try and shame us
And tell us that the love we feel is wrong
“But we’ll soon enough forget them
If we refuse to let them
When they try and take away the very thing that makes us strong”
from Be On The Safe Side ©copyright Romanovsky & Phillips.
“Well, love is never easy, it’s a lot of give and take
And it’s learning to forgive each new mistake
But any love worth having’s gonna take some sacrifice
Don’t run away from trouble in paradise”
from Trouble in Paradise ©copyright Romanovsky & Phillips.
“I’m an immoral degenerate
And you’re an irreverent one
Long as we’re on the road to hell
We might as well have some fun
“Let’s flaunt it, let’s flaunt it
Let’s celebrate our love
I want to, I want to
Proliferate our love”
from Let’s Flaunt It ©copyright Romanovsky & Phillips.
I suspect everyone here has a favourite Muppet- or perhaps one that other people think they resemble. Although some say I’m a bit of a Fozzie Bear, I really identify with Gonzo- a flightless bird with barely visible wings, who has unusual relationships. Never the star; they’re often helping others, or at least moving the story forward.
Their brain seems to function in it’s own unique way.
The song I’m Going to Go Back There Someday (from the Muppet Movie) was written by Paul Williams and Ken Asher specifically for Gonzo.
“Sun rises, night falls
Sometimes the sky calls
Is that a song there?
And do I belong there?
I’ve never been there but I know the way
I’m going to go back there someday
“Come and go with me, It’s more fun to share
We’ll both be completely at home in midair
We’re flying, not walking, on featherless wings
We can hold on to love like invisible strings”
The precise vows I gave after that have been redacted for privacy.
