Tuesday
Jan192010
It's Life's Illusions
January 19, 2010 * * * * * Posted by: Puna 
"It's life's illusions I recall, I really don't know love, at all."
He has it all. A beautiful home. A fulfilling job. Two beautiful children. A loving, intelligent, independent wife.
His reality is secured that early summer evening as he bouyantly opens the front door. His fingers grip the opera tickets in his right hand, his left hand grips the bottle of wine, take-out Chinese food dangling from his curled front finger.
He looks up to see his darling wife in the hallway, her arms crossed, sad determination across her countenance.
It was then he knew the world had ended. The Chinese food hits the floor with a thud.
"Why?" he asks.
"Because I can't live here anymore. Because I can't take it anymore. Because I'm in love with someone else. Because it wasn't meant to be."
After 23 years, it wasn't meant to be. How does he get through this, the biggest storm of his life?
One moment at a time, one breath at a time, one heart beat at a time. For the promise of new love in middle life is as assured as the promise of first love.
Have patience. Have heart. Have faith. The storm will end.
Reader Comments (27)
You have nothing to worry about, Sweetheart, for I love eternally. This is a beautiful and poignant post and you sure know how to make an entry. Congratulations!
Wow. This image just knocked me out and then the story. For promise of new love in middle life is assured. Storms always end. Fabulous!
wow, as debi said. you've made me stop everything i was doing. your words touch such a chord, it's something that could happen to anyone. it makes us vulnerable...the knowledge of that, and yet you have to keep loving don't you, and keep your heart open. wonderful first post puna!
I'm guessing this is more universal than we think, Puna. It's hard to believe it at the time but Life does indeed go on and there is more than enough love to go around...again. Thank you for the simple, profound message of hope.
I read your post, ran to my man to hug him and thought: You can't take love for granted, you have to work on it all the time. Lovely post!
So powerful and evocative. Reminds me not to take anything for granted...and especially our relationships. And whatever rises..falls. The storms do - eventually - pass...but not without a lot of heartache in between.
After reading this it's more clear than ever that not take anything or anyone for granted. So powerful and also hopeful.
First of all, I was captivated with the simple but strong image. Then...the words. Oh my goodness. What powerful words; the words painting a scene that touched my heart and pulled on my emotions.
Echoing Frida, I agree..."so powerful and also hopeful."
This was an unexpected connection for me of words to photographs ... both left me wanting to follow the story.
the song is a favorite dear puna..a stunning yet simple image to match the essay.
I wanted to let you know how much your post touched my heart. The tears started to come and they wouldn't stop. As a single woman who has pretty much given up on that whole love thing, you've given me hope that love might still be out there for me. Your words with your image are truly beautiful. Well done!
Love can and does come mid-life. It happened to me at age 43. But I hate those chin up, listen to my story, hang in there stories when I'm hurting, because this is not about me, it's about you. So just keep on loving your beautiful self. That's where true love lies. Thank you for sharing these beautiful words.
oh puna, you are so right. love at middle age is entirely within the realm of possibility. this is a strangely poignant and beautiful post. i am so proud of you!
what a beautifully written story and the image you chose are so powerful. Beautifully crafted Puna. I am eager to read more of your submissions!
perfectly sculpted! the story, the image, the message in perfect harmony. i spent a rather sleepless night responding to an experience that included a man and his immeasurably passion for being alive. then his sudden and completely unexpected death doing something that affirmed his determination for being fully alive. i cannot get the imagery of what i saw and his words out of my mind. his last documented words were "another day in paradise". god i thought i would die of heartache. the illusion of time moving forward, of control and security. and even love. it feels like a moody and dark day. i bless my life and the act of being alive. i will try to be prepared not only for the mundane and beautiful moments today but also for bearing witness to the undeserved pain and loss that is played out in my little office on the corner. god grant me the courage and please bless me with the ability a affirm hope on this day.
i am glad you made me write out my thoughts. thank you.
Puna, what writing! Amazing image to go along with it, too.
Love's illusion is the source of a lot of problems in relationships. While growing up, I had an illusion of love that could not possibly be met. Fortunately, I married a man whose reality helped me bring that illusion into focus. We'll soon be married 43 years, and although we've had a few close calls, we've worked on through the storms. In middle age, when one partner calls it quits, the road is particularly rocky, so a new set of tires and 4-wheel drive helps a lot.
Wow! that is really powerful and beautiful. Very inspiring :-)
Such beautiful, beautiful words. Loss is hard to deal with no matter when it arrives and no matter how loving and supportive your friends are. Everyone will get through it, but no one feels like he or she will at the time.
Beautifully put lady, as always.
What really hits home for me about what you wrote is how your life can change in an instant. One second you're happy and life is fine, and the next second your world is turned upside down. It happened to me on Friday, so your words are even more poignant for me right now.
Kelly
beautifully written, and portrayed.
one love.
Your writing is beautiful. I look forward to more of it.
Oh! You surprised me. Wonderful story with amazing depth and character. I cannot wait to read more.
It's like you were telling my REAL LIFE story here. WOW - very powerful for me having been through almost that exact situation in my life. Looking forward to more!