I love his songs. And I am an incurable romantic, but isn't that the point? No cure.
OK, I'm going to share an intimate story here because I feel safe with fellow romantics.
Bill and I met a few moments past midnight on New Year 1978. I, rather trashily, put the moves on him. I gave him my number, which he did not use, and he would not give me his. I hunted him down and in less than two months (2/22) we decided to give a LTR our best shot.
We did not exchange rings until twenty years later when we had a house Mass with six friends present, offering thanksgiving for each other and the life we enjoyed together. Sadly (at the time) but blessedly (as we look back) we needed to let each other go four years after that. Two days after what would have been our 24th anniversary we went on a date to a new place we had never been and in a lovely northern California olive orchard we took the rings off each other's hands, offering thanks and vowing that we had not stopped loving. In fact, as Bill took my ring off he promised to love me until death and, if possible, beyond.
We had to love separately for the sake of our own souls. Anyone who follows my blog and Facebook and life knows that we have been immeasurably blessed to keep the latter vows - and have the wisdom to know that "getting back together" is not wise or healthy but rejoicing in the deep friendship we have is wonderful.
On New Year's Eve 2008, the 30th anniversary of when we met, Bill was committed to bring food to a party and he asked me to be his date that night. He was exhausted and had to leave the party a bit before I did but as he left he handed me a slip of paper. I asked, "What's this for?" He said, "It's my phone number." I asked, "Why?" He responded, "Because I did not give it to you that night."
Yesterday, amid looking after me during and after my surgery on Tuesday, Bill helped clean and reorganize my bathroom (where there is inadequate storage space for much of anything). Tucked away we came across two things: my ring and slip of paper with his phone number on it. He did not remember giving me his phone number that night, but I am obviously the romantic when it comes to dates. No, I was not tossing that slip of paper. It, and the ring, are in the cabinet with family heirlooms, including my mother's wedding ring. (There is a story about that too.)
If you made it to the end of this, you know I had to share it with someone. I am so blessed to be loved like that and I think we are the happiest "divorced" couple on earth.
There is this one person who I am madly, passionately, deeply in love with and have been since I first put pen to paper while in Vietnam in 1968. She loves Lenard Cohen, I have only begrudgingly come to that conclusion over the last 40+ years. His poetry is second to none and his music is slightly understated but generally with a driving rythm that complements his lyrics. But the synergy of the two far transcends either.
Note to Paul: Blessings on you and your loved one!
Paul, thank you for telling your love story here. I'd heard bits and pieces about you and Bill, but I'm honored that you chose my wee blog to tell us more.
It's a lovely story, bittersweet perhaps, but only a little of the bitters and much that is sweet. Even though you and Bill are no longer a couple, you still love each other, and the way in which you handled your decision to live apart says much about your character and maturity.
God bless you, you romantic old bear, and may you and Bill continue to love one another. I pray you heal quickly from your surgery.
Fred, it was reminiscing about Grandpère's and my first visit to England in a comment to another post that sent me into my romantic mood, and then Leonard's song came up in my player, and I searched for and found the YouTube to post. His poetry is lovely. Your beloved has good taste, and she brought you around.
Paul, I loved reading about you and Bill. It kept on being a love story, even after you decided to separate, and that's so sweet. In a way I wish you were still together, since the love between you clearly runs so deep, but life doesn't always pan out that way, I guess. But anyway, thank you.
... we likes the old Leonard Cohen, we do :-)
ReplyDeleteHe da man!
ReplyDeleteHe so is da man :-)
ReplyDeleteI love Leonard Cohen!
ReplyDeleteI love his songs. And I am an incurable romantic, but isn't that the point? No cure.
ReplyDeleteOK, I'm going to share an intimate story here because I feel safe with fellow romantics.
Bill and I met a few moments past midnight on New Year 1978. I, rather trashily, put the moves on him. I gave him my number, which he did not use, and he would not give me his. I hunted him down and in less than two months (2/22) we decided to give a LTR our best shot.
We did not exchange rings until twenty years later when we had a house Mass with six friends present, offering thanksgiving for each other and the life we enjoyed together. Sadly (at the time) but blessedly (as we look back) we needed to let each other go four years after that. Two days after what would have been our 24th anniversary we went on a date to a new place we had never been and in a lovely northern California olive orchard we took the rings off each other's hands, offering thanks and vowing that we had not stopped loving. In fact, as Bill took my ring off he promised to love me until death and, if possible, beyond.
We had to love separately for the sake of our own souls. Anyone who follows my blog and Facebook and life knows that we have been immeasurably blessed to keep the latter vows - and have the wisdom to know that "getting back together" is not wise or healthy but rejoicing in the deep friendship we have is wonderful.
On New Year's Eve 2008, the 30th anniversary of when we met, Bill was committed to bring food to a party and he asked me to be his date that night. He was exhausted and had to leave the party a bit before I did but as he left he handed me a slip of paper. I asked, "What's this for?" He said, "It's my phone number." I asked, "Why?" He responded, "Because I did not give it to you that night."
Yesterday, amid looking after me during and after my surgery on Tuesday, Bill helped clean and reorganize my bathroom (where there is inadequate storage space for much of anything). Tucked away we came across two things: my ring and slip of paper with his phone number on it. He did not remember giving me his phone number that night, but I am obviously the romantic when it comes to dates. No, I was not tossing that slip of paper. It, and the ring, are in the cabinet with family heirlooms, including my mother's wedding ring. (There is a story about that too.)
If you made it to the end of this, you know I had to share it with someone. I am so blessed to be loved like that and I think we are the happiest "divorced" couple on earth.
Mimi,
ReplyDeleteThere is this one person who I am madly, passionately, deeply in love with and have been since I first put pen to paper while in Vietnam in 1968. She loves Lenard Cohen, I have only begrudgingly come to that conclusion over the last 40+ years. His poetry is second to none and his music is slightly understated but generally with a driving rythm that complements his lyrics. But the synergy of the two far transcends either.
Note to Paul:
Blessings on you and your loved one!
Two Auntees, I love Leonard, too.
ReplyDeletePaul, thank you for telling your love story here. I'd heard bits and pieces about you and Bill, but I'm honored that you chose my wee blog to tell us more.
It's a lovely story, bittersweet perhaps, but only a little of the bitters and much that is sweet. Even though you and Bill are no longer a couple, you still love each other, and the way in which you handled your decision to live apart says much about your character and maturity.
God bless you, you romantic old bear, and may you and Bill continue to love one another. I pray you heal quickly from your surgery.
Fred, it was reminiscing about Grandpère's and my first visit to England in a comment to another post that sent me into my romantic mood, and then Leonard's song came up in my player, and I searched for and found the YouTube to post. His poetry is lovely. Your beloved has good taste, and she brought you around.
How's Grand-pere this morning? (tee hee)
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, Grandpère is fit as a fiddle this morning, only a bit tired. (LOL and blushing)
ReplyDeletePaul, I loved reading about you and Bill. It kept on being a love story, even after you decided to separate, and that's so sweet. In a way I wish you were still together, since the love between you clearly runs so deep, but life doesn't always pan out that way, I guess. But anyway, thank you.
ReplyDeleteFred's words are intriguing too. And then of course, Mimi, you and Tom have clearly been madly in love all these years.
ReplyDeleteSo much mad passion about, in fact - it's heartening to see :-)
Cathy, I don't know that I'd go so far as "mad passion" in our case. :-)
ReplyDeleteWell, mad and passion do go together in our case. It just happens to be a little slower now than 40 years ago! :-)
ReplyDeletePS: I have had to add fuel to you fire Grandmere Mimi -- see Off Topic.
a wonderful light still shining brightly.This song inspired me a lot ! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLeonard Cohen likes your blog, Mimi.
ReplyDeleteCathy, somehow I can't believe that's the real Leonard Cohen.
ReplyDelete