Love/Romance

Train That Left the Station

Backstory

Sometimes love occurs at first sight. For others, patience is required as you move through life, happy and fulfilled, with just that one thing missing. He said he sought a life partner with depth, who was smart, caring and kind. Did she need to make a mean lasagna besides?

Train that left the Station

He had been a bachelor for more than 60 years. He was attractive, intelligent, financially secure, funny, interesting. He was what would be considered quite a catch for a woman of his day. He had a full and successful life with a career in a field he loved, lots of friends and loving family.

And yet romance had alluded him. He never found the time . . . or took the time . . . to look past the casual, to find a woman who could hold his attention and fill the void. After so many decades of a solitary life, he explained, he assumed that train had left the station. Fatherhood was not to be. Intimacy was not to be experienced.

And then she came into his life. Bustling and busy, bright and joyful. They became friends and enjoyed spending time together. They started doing for each other, and going places together. They started dating. And it all fell together so naturally, so happily.

A couple of years and they realized they wanted more and they got engaged. They’re now approaching 3,000 days together. He’s counted them.

How do I know? I am the train that pulled into his station. Big red caboose and all.

P.S. Sequestering during the pandemic added a new 24/7 dimension to our togetherness. Our train just chugged on through and out the other side. Now all we seek is just one more day. And then one more and perhaps another . . . And give thanks on every one of those days.

[Show #629]

Believe in Love

Backstory

Have you been in love? How do you explain the feelings engendered by the very nearness of your beloved? What mixture of internal chemistry creates those flashes of ecstasy? Those were the questions pondered by this newly smitten, curious but confused scientist.

Believe in Love – #418

I believe in love, always have. I met someone several years ago who had never been in love. Oh, he loved – his nieces and nephews, his parents, and good friends. But he never felt the passion of having someone in his life who mean more to him than life itself.

And then it happened. He found her and they became soulmates. At last, he knew what it was to be in love.

He was a scientist. As he experienced these new feelings, he insisted on understanding what created them. What made him light up when she walked into the room? Why were all standards of beauty now set by her?

His true contentment came when he stopped trying to understand why and allow the feeling to just wash over him, to consume him, to be a part of his very being. He’s a changed man, now that he’s found and accepted love.

I guess I’m glad that I’m not a scientist. I don’t need to understand what makes it feel so good to be in love.

I believe in the sun, even if it isn’t shining, I believe in God even when He is silent, I believe in love even when I’m alone. And those beliefs bring me joy and contentment. I hope they do the same for you.

P.S.

It’s a pleasure to report that twelve years into his love affair, the scientist remains smitten with the woman of his dreams, who is now his wife. Happy Valentine’s Day.

[Show #418]

What Love Is About

Backstory

This is a very personal and precious memory of once upon a time. Days and months and years have passed, but my soul still smiles at how it felt just to have him in my mind.

What Love Is About – #452

Sometimes I’m just sitting and doing my work, a thousand thoughts fluttering across my brain, frantically trying to capture the ideas appropriate to the moment with a project at hand. Suddenly the memory of his smile spreads across the cluttered landscape of my mind and I have to stop and smile back.

It helps keep me from reverting to the old workaholic habits. It makes me pace myself and stop taking it all so seriously. It makes me glance at the clock to count the hours until I can see that smile in person and feel that embrace and give back and enjoy every moment of it.

I know that we will share whatever circumstances the day has caused. Physical pain, frustration, laughter, success, or just quiet contentment for another day’s work done. It makes a difference when he is near. The very air I breathe is better, sweeter, fresher, more invigorating. He is the backdrop for my daily joy in life.

So this is what love is all about. It’s all about how the other person makes you feel. Special, loved, treasured. Why didn’t someone tell me sooner!

P.S.

Is it OK to have such thoughts of someone from the past, if you now have a new love? Oh my, yes. Love always deserves to be remembered. Not flaunted, but quietly, reverently remembered and enjoyed.

[Show #452]

A Reason, A Season, A Lifetime

(Updated)

Backstory

This story has been a favorite with listeners since it first appeared in 2009. We repost it, once a year. It seems to resonate with people’s personal experiences. Prepare to bring back memories.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

A Reason, a Season, a Lifetime #456

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed or just felt. They have come to assist you through a hard time, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. Then, suddenly, the person disappears from your life. Your need has been met; their work is done.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share or grow or give back. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They give you great joy. Believe it; it is real. But only for a season.

Lifetime relationships teach you lifetime lessons—things you must build upon to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all your other relationships.

Think about the people in your life over the years. Whether they were there for a reason, a season or a lifetime, accept them and treasure them for however long they were meant to be part of your life.

And when they are gone, be thankful for the gifts you received from them when they were here—for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

P.S.

Did anyone come to mind, as you read this story? Were you satisfied when the time with them was up? Would you change anything about your time together? Perhaps it’s worth some thought.

[Show #456]

Losing Love

Backstory

Heading into retirement years, many of my friends have now led several different lives – more than one marriage, multiple careers, cultures in different parts of the country or the world. Included in their decades of living is loss. Yet they seem to have recovered and moved on. They told me how it works.

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Losing Love #167

The county song says that unanswered prayers may be our greatest blessing. That’s hard to swallow when you lose love. But whether it disappears, dies, or is dismissed, losing love is painful. The only saving grace is to learn from the lesson and apply it, the next time around.

Why did love go wrong? So often, that question is answered by pointing fingers. But if we look deeply into our hearts and souls, we might find important factors.

Sometimes we love too much and it’s smothering. Sometimes we miss the cues for what’s important to the other person. The saddest mistake is when we revert to bad behavior. We’re determined to never do that again and it comes out, just the same.

Should you lose love, at least don’t lose the lesson. Keep it to improve, the next time love comes your way.

P.S.

Recognize the different types of love that surround you. Romantic love is nice. But don’t underestimate the practical love of friends who are there for you. Great warmth can come from your grandchildren or somebody else’s grandkids. Volunteers find love and satisfaction in the service they perform. If you’ve lost love, stay open to all kinds of fresh new love.

[Show #167]

The Annoying Husband

Backstory

A friend started telling about recent hassles with her husband. She referenced numerous irritating habits and grievances. Once she started looking at him through fresh eyes, things changed dramatically.

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The Annoying Husband – #644

How about that husband of yours? Sure gets on your nerves at times, doesn’t he? You get annoyed by some of the things he does. And what’s really frustrating are the things he doesn’t do.

Lots of promises, no action. Reminds me of the joke, “When a man says he will do something, he will do it. He does not need to be reminded every six months.”

Well, you can go ahead and be annoyed, or you could take a different look at it. Those things that annoy you, do they really matter?

There are millions of people yearning for a life companion and they can’t find one. Ask how fussy they would be about perfection, if they had a person who loved them, who they could talk to and share with.

Next time you are busy getting annoyed, think about the way he makes you feel; he way you feel when you look at him, or hug him, or watch him with your children.

Are you overlooking the good points and dwelling on the needy? Maybe a change of your attitude would make a difference. If you love him, be sure to tell him today. Right now. Give him a break from complaints – voiced or thought of. Substitute loving acceptance and see what happens. Could make life happier for you both.

Something to consider.

P.S.

There’s also a simple approach that can positively affect the family culture too. Introduce frequent use of “please” and “thank you.” It even works on teenagers – sometimes.

[Show #644]