Was That Love in the Air?

Was that love in the air on Valentine's day, or was it something else? Check it out (here). 

 

Eternal Love

 

 Although the Taj Mahal was the catalyst for our trip to India, I admit to viewing it with trepidation. I’d unwisely made a judgment; without laying my eyes on it I’d concluded that this was the most beautiful edifice ever created by the hand of man. I’d based this opinion of photographs. But I’d been disappointed before and worried I’d set my expectations too high. Could reality match my imagination? Find out about it here....

Pure Love

  

In the United States September 9^th was Grandparents Day. The event passed without fanfare; I wasn’t aware of it until today. Mrs. Chatterbox and I aren’t grandparents yet but we haven’t given up hope. In the meantime, I’d like to share an interesting painting with you.

      

A few years ago Mrs. C. and I were in Paris.While walking through the endless galleries of the Louvre, Mrs. C. felt the call of nature and headed off to find the ladies’ room. I waited for her in a nearby gallery where I noticed this painting by Ghirlandaio (Gear-land-eye-o). Like so many of the paintings in the Louvre, I’d seen this one reproduced in art books. Quite frankly, I never thought much of it, but I was stuck waiting for my wife to return and decided to take a closer look.

      

Ghirlandaio is not a household name; his claim to fame comes mostly from being one of Michelangelo’s teachers. This modest painting from 1490, An Old Man and his Grandson, was painted on wood with tempera. Tempera, popular before the invention of oil paint, was made from ground pigment mixed with egg yolk. It’s difficult to work with but the paint sticks very well to a surface, as anyone who has ever tried to scrape a dried egg from a plate can tell you. Like so many paintings from the Renaissance, the title of this work is based solely on the subject matter, and the figures certainly appear to be grandfather and grandson.

      

As I waited for Mrs. C, my attention turned to the grandfather’s misshapen nose. What the hell is going on with it? Is that a carbuncle?  Leprosy? Rinophyma? Why would anyone allow themselves to be painted this way? But the grandson clearly doesn’t see the monstrous affliction. His eyes see only kindness and virtue, the man behind the deformity. He places his doll-like hand on his grandfather’s chest in a gesture of unadulterated love. I hope that one day a grandchild of mine will look at me this way.

      

Today I treasure my moment standing before this manifestation of pure love. And I have my wife’s weak bladder to thank for it. 

      

Mrs. Chatterbox: Guest Blogger

Forrest Gump famously proclaimed, “I know what love is.”

As you know, Mr. C. and I have just returned from a fantastic trip to Turkey. What a wonderful country, full of wonderful people. We had good experiences and enjoyed the adventure of the trip. But, I made an observation on this particular trip that many of you might think should have come years ago.

Mr. C. and I have crafted a great life together. We have a son who is the light of our lives. We are proud of the person he has become and proud of his achievements. We can see only good things ahead for our boy. We have buried my parents and my father-in-law and gotten through those painful moments together. We’ve had some ups and downs as a married couple (mostly ups) and have weathered those storms also. There is no one on this earth that I would rather spend time with than Mr. C. He is funny, and smart, and the joy of my very life. But this trip taught me something important.

I observed my husband watching my steps for me, pointing out cobblestones and dips that might cause me to fall. I observed my husband gently propelling me through situations, carefully guarding my safety at all times. I observed my husband standing in front of me, when necessary, to shield me from something unpleasant. At all times I observed him looking out for my best interests. He carefully explained historical significances to me, and then repeated those explanations for me instead of losing patience with my questions.

Why haven’t I noticed this before? Of course, this is the way he has treated me for almost 40 years of togetherness. Always looking out for me. But this trip, for some reason, seemed different. His protection of me was precious and dear. I have come away from this great adventure realizing that the great adventure in our lives is…our life together.

Yes. I know what love is.

Ephesus, Turkey