The Best Is Yet To Come?

WE DIDN'T HAVE A CLUE!

"Grow old with me . . . the best is yet to come."

Tomorrow I celebrate 37 years of marriage to the boy who turned my life upside down in the most wonderful way. He borrowed my binoculars at a Doobie Brother's concert and two weeks later when he cleaned off the top of his chest-of-drawers, he found a telephone number scribbled on the back of the ticket. He braved the call, vaguely remembering the concert (the bottle of Black Velvet he and his roommate shared prior to the concert may have played a part) and confessed later, he couldn't remember what I looked like until he showed up at my front door. When I walked out to his truck, he said it all came back to him. "I remember you had a great ass!" Yep. Out of all the guys I dated who wooed me with roses and even written romantic prose, I picked him! Why? He made me laugh. Our life together has been every bit as unconventional and unpredictable as our chance meeting.





We thought we knew what the hell we were doing...both had great jobs, I just bought a new Camaro, he had an awesome 4-wheel drive truck, we moved into a fantastic apartment (had a gas fireplace!) and we were in lust. Not love. We believed we were, said the words and took the vows, but looking back, we were kids. We had no clue what constituted "true love," but we soon found out.  Yes, we had a couple of great years where our priorities centered solely on each other, but then our daughter was born, followed by the tag team, a miscarriage, and the oops child. It would be at least 25 years later, after a lot of tears, slammed doors, heated words, nights on the sofa, and even the threat of giving up by both of us at different times, before we realized we were truly soul mates. Until you've weathered the heartache of life changes that comes from raising children, economic issues, and health problems together, (and I consider watching the my svelte curves melt into a pear-shaped puddle a major health issue) and yet can still see the sparkle in your beloved's eyes -- set behind thick glasses -- do you really gain the understanding of "love."

GRAMPS HAS THE MAGIC TOUCH

Did I picture this in my head when I stared into hazel eyes as I swore my undying love before a room full of friends of family? Yes, as a matter of fact I did. I knew his teasing smile, the way it made his eyes crinkle, would look the same a hundred years later, and the gentle arms that cradled me when I cried after burning our first dinner, would still be my most favorite place on earth many decades later.

November 21, 1975 - I married my best friend. 

Thirty-seven years later . . . I'm still falling in love.

As we start the celebrations for the "season of thanks," hold tight to those things that bring joy in you life.

[Repost] Twas Valentine's Eve...

Twas Valentine's Eve and I slumped in my chair,

No chocolates or roses, or man in my lair.

Cupid lay dead on the Persian rug in the hall

His bow to his side, an arrow stuck in my wall.

They'll think I did it, killed "Love" out of spite,

Single people everywhere will rally to fight.

The truth will stay hidden, I won't have my say,

They'll jump to conclusions and lock me away.

The pink cherub had it coming, arriving so late,

I waited all week for him to change my fate.

When he never showed, I surrendered my plight

All I wanted was a bath and to call it a night.

Surrounded in bubbles and candles aglow,

I resigned to my destiny at Cupid's no-show,

But when something downstairs made a thump and crash,

I jumped from the tub with nothing covering my ass.

I fumbled in darkness not wanting to be seen

For a gun, a bat, a weapon of means.

Soapy footprints marked my descent downstairs,

Without knowing I stood naked, in the crosshairs.

I screamed when the pain shot through my behind

And swung my bat fast, dazed out of my mind.

He squealed like a pig but my aim was too good,

His wings beat hard, but he still smacked the wood.

With arrow still dangling from one precious cheek,

I painfully scurried to save Love's little "geek."

No time for the lights when I saw my mistake,

But the comment he made determined his fate.

"Seriously, lady you should join a gym,

"I'm having a hard time finding just the right 'him'.

"They all want a model with boobs that don't hang,

"A washboard stomach and a long golden mane.

"You're funny and sweet, but slightly plump

"I had to use 'turbo' to penetrate your rump.

"Are you saying I'm fat, you insensitive pest?

"Which coming from you meets an ironic best.

"You're nothing but blubber, chubby and round,

"Those wings barely keep you off of the ground.

He raised his bow, a fiery red in his eye,

I'd pushed too far, hurt his pride.

But he flew in a circle, one wing badly bent,

I ducked out of the way when an arrow he sent.

It hit the light socket, shooting sparks in his hair,

Startled, the cherub flew into the stairs.

He bounced off the railing, hit the banister post,

Ending prone of the rug, smelling a lot like burnt toast.

With the arrow from my butt I gingerly poked,

But he didn't move, just laid there and smoked.

I called 911 to report the break-in and assault,

Quickly dressed and rehearsed why this wasn't my fault.

Red and blue clashed against my sage green walls,

And dozens of officers filled my entry hall.

One noticed the arrow now glowing red hot,

And the Fire Department arrived on the spot.

I recalled my terrifying brush with death,

Noting most of them snickered under their breath.

The "murder of Love" was declared self defense,

No charges were filed, because nothing made sense.

Cupid suddenly vanished leaving no trace,

No bow, no arrow, nothing left in his place.

We all swore an oath we weren't losing out minds,

And the officers left, but one stayed behind.

"I hope you don't mind my asking so late,

"But would you consider being my Valentine date?

Cupid's arrow did more than just inflict strife,

It brought "him" to my doorstep and into my life.

I rubbed my backside, while nodding my head,

I had a date for Valentines and proof "Love" wasn't dead.

Happy Valentines Day

CUPID'S ARROW - LOVE OR JUST A WOUNDED HEART?

Current Listen:  Exit Wounds courtesy of The Script

VALENTINE'S DAY.  A day we celebrate "Love." Red roses, dark silk chocolates in glittery red heart boxes, and expensive cards filled with someone else's words...not ours. Oh we sign the card, but how many of us "writers" write our cards?

Remember elementary school and homemade "valentines" we created because we had no money to buy them? I'm guessing a lot of mother's have a shoebox in the closet or in the cedar chest, full of misshapen hearts with little one's terms of endearment. So what happened in between? We write hundreds of pages of romantic scenes and lip blossoming kisses, but rush right out and buy Hallmark's best, instead of writing our own. I must confess. My store bought greeting card is tucked inside the nightstand drawer awaiting Monday.

Below, in case I've guilted you into creating  your own romantic token but you suffer writers' block, are enlightening sayings written by my favorite (and non-liable) author:  "Anonymous."

"Once in awhile, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale."

"My love for you is a journey; Starting at forever and ending at never."


"I tell you I love you every day for fear that tomorrow isn't another."

"The most eloquent silence is that of two mouths meeting in a kiss."

"No three words have greater power than 'I Love You'. "

Now let's talk about the "Valentine Gift." Here's where I get to have fun, and if my "peeve" is your "preference," please don't be offended. My intention is lighten not darken.

Pet peeves: 
1.  Heart shaped jewelry. Seriously. Are you really going to wear it after Valentines Day? Maybe if it's crusted in several carats of diamonds, big enough to look tacky and heavy enough to strangle. Then yes. By all means, "surprise" me.

2.   Sexy lace "teddys." For you. Right. It's like I want to say "Oh honey! How did you know I was dying to wear sheer red lace over my pasty white body (it's winter for heaven's sake) so my cellulite thighs can be enhanced by that comfortable piece of satin dental floss tucked between my dimpled 'cheeks'?" Pass me the grenade, but keep the pin.

4.  Stuffed animals. Loved them when I was fifteen; the first token of love from my pimply faced boyfriend whose voice was higher than mine. Smiled affectionately at sixteen because my boyfriend had a part-time job or bigger allowance so the fluffy gift was at least larger. At seventeen, my teeth ground together, knowing my boyfriend had put enough thought into finding the last one tucked on the shelf, that he forgot to remove the tag on his way over to pick me up for our date. At eighteen, a stuffed animal meant "something more" and was usually holding another "teddy." It was also a "parting gift."

Favs:
1.  Roses. Always a safe bet. While red roses are traditional, yellow roses call to my playful side and brighten any spot they're placed.

2.  Diamond rings. The larger the better. Need I say more? (Cupid will be greatly rewarded .)

3.  Dinner out and a romantic movie with a bucket of popcorn and a large bag of M&M's. (Cupid will get "lucky" later.)

4.  Shopping for clothing (other than lingerie) or furniture, without gasping for air or clutching a heart when the final tally is rang up. (Yep, a guaranteed "happy ending.")

5.  Hire me a weekly housekeeper. (Cupid will be horizontal for as long as that service is employed.)

But in the end, whatever my Cupid decides to do in my honor, I'll be thrilled with. Yes, even a lace teddy. A sense of humor is essential in a relationship, and me wearing one of Victoria's "secrets" will generate a gut busting laugh for sure! In the end all that matters is that he still considers me his "Valentine."

Love expressed in any manner, said in any language, and felt inside your heart, is wonderful. Hope your Valentines Day leaves a romantic memory that brings a private smile to your lips when it passes through your thoughts later.  Here's to a "hole in your heart" from Cupid's arrow. 

Thanks for spending a few moments. Harley Brooks, the lust crazed hopeless romantic stuck inside Joelene's head.

Thought for today:  You have to give "love" to receive "love." Pay it forward.