TRUE LOVE??

Years ago, when Bing Crosby crooned "True Love---I love you Samantha, and my love will never die" I thought, "get out of town", who could possibly feel like that? Later, I started to feel it a little when I heard Elvis Presley sing "Love Me Tender,"---okay, I get it--- but, really?? Years rolled by, and still I felt---nothing. If this apathy continued, I thought, I must be missing something--possibly the "true love" gene. Then one fine day, it happened. It took only one look, ---Hello, Love, I've been waiting for you. You are everything I've ever heard about you--- including an achey break-ey heart. And that was that. Years passed, along with many proposals and pretenders, but none rang true. Then,one fine day, as if by appointment, and right on time ---he swept me down the aisle in a flurry of romance, roses, hope, and commitment--- and I thought, there, finally---I'm one of those who loves and is loved, like Bing and Samantha, and that must be that. Wrong.

A year later, it happened again---a young man with blonde hair, blue eyes, and slight dimple in his chin, stole my heart away forever. I'll never love anyone else like this, I thought--

About five years later, much to my surprise, a new love arrived on my scene---this one had very little hair, beautiful hazel eyes, and was so easy, sweet, and fun to be around. This was true love at first sight. My love would never die---

Then, quite unexpectedly, only eighteen months later, I came face to face with the most charming guy--he was a little on the short side, but had brown curly hair, blue eyes almost the color of mine, and he made me laugh--I loved that, and him like nobody else.

And so, you see, love can happen not at all for the longest time, and then it can keep happening over and over again---even when you least expect it or don't think you want or need it. Of course, you must know I have been speaking of my three children---each one loved in a different way. And you have all probably heard the age old question from your children--- " But which one of us do you love the most?" They never believe the answer we all give, do they? "All the same, my dears. but different, and my love will never die--- no matter what." But it's true---true love.

Love can even happen while your're in love with someone else other than your children or your spouse---a good friend who's been married for a long time one day took another love into her life---shocking! She glows whenever she speaks his name, and seems so happy, that you can't help but be happy for her. Her new sweetheart's name is "Maurice"---he's an Havanese puppy (that is, from Havana) and if I could, I'd steal him away from her---would that make me "the other woman"?

Of course, this sort of thing can happen outside of dogs---we all know of second and third marriages. So--- does true love really go the distance? Some do, some very lucky few. If you are among those, you chose wisely and well the first time--- or maybe the second or third time! If his of hers is still the music that makes you dance, you are even luckier, because sometimes love changes into more of a commitment, an obligation, or even a habit. Maybe that's why we promise to stay together till death do us part---we take vows, sign cerificates and pre-nuptial agreements---hedging our bets just in case love dies---and often, it does. Forever is a long time, and the heart never lies----it can only surrender, refuse to, resign, break, or choose to do nothing---always a heart, never a valentine.

The best sort of love is the rare gem of a love that goes on even after the first blush or gush is gone, and what remains is a deeper feeling---yes, the songly "my love will never die" version, but more than that, the "I'm here, by your side, I'll always love you, and I'll never leave you---no matter what" kind. It sparkles and shines even after years of use. If you have it, hang on to it---it's true love. If you don't---well, you're not alone. There are now more singles in this country, than there are married couples. But it may be worth the wait, or the hunt---regardless of changing mores, we still long for that one true love.

"How do you know if it's the real deal?" One of the above mentioned children once asked me. "If you can't imagine life without that person." was the best I could come up with at the time. But, I wanted to add---"It's still a crap shoot, Baby--cross your fingers, follow your heart, with your head not far behind, and then---Happy landings!"

Happy Valentine's Day everyone---may your love never die. And if you are already somebody's Samantha, or Bing--- may you return the favor.

Now, to those purists who think I can't mix a little politics with this week's romantic blog--- watch me! This is an exercise in chatty, stimulating, informative, and highly entertaining conversation, not an editorial or even a love letter! It may be Valentine season here, but the planet keeps turning and hurting. Can we not pretend just for a little while,that what the world and all us really need is, you got it---true love. Oh, come on, lighten up---that may be terrribly lame, and not at all true, but it sure sounds good about now.

So, here's to you, too, Egypt, with love---May you find your true destiny, and may it not break your hearts.