Gratitude Practice 2020 Day 31: Us
Today, grateful for the good man I call husband. For his good humor, his positive nature, his patience, his superb culinary abilities, his super computer brain power, his resilience, his creativity, his determination, his focus, his kindness, his growing sock collection, his growing adaptability, his willingness to be both stretched and strengthened in unwanted circumstances. For his love for our joy bomb. For his love for me. And for his love for us. So much about marriage is just not covered in the glossy tri-fold marketing pamphlet so freely distributed during the fundamental dewy eyed years. Grateful for the learning and loving laboratory that exists between me and Burke M Rich
A few weeks ago, I attended a production of The Fiddler on the Roof and a few iconic songs have been on constant repeat in my head and heart. Sunrise, Sunset is an unbeatable heart stirring favorite. The Sabbath Prayer continues to remind and inspire the relentless deep pleading for grace and safety expressed by all parents. But the real ringer for me right now is the very real, very honest, very earnest conversation between a man and wife deep in the work of married life. This musical back and forth conversation is sacred and stretching and sanctifying all at the same time. Like marriage, this exchange is humorous, harrowing, and holy. Filled with both facts and hopeful questions that clarify the best of intentions often only realized in the deep of the deep. For Golde and Tevye…love and connection exist. Today, I am grateful they exist for Burke and Liz as well.
Golde: Do I what?
Tevye: Do you love me?
Golde: Do I love you? With our daughters getting married. And this trouble in the town. You're upset, you're worn out. Go inside, go lie down! Maybe it's indigestion
Tevye: "Golde I'm asking you a question..." Do you love me?
Golde: You're a fool
Tevye: "I know..." But do you love me?
Golde: Do I love you? For twenty-five years I've washed your clothes, cooked your meals, cleaned your house. Given you children, milked the cow. After twenty-five years, why talk about love right now?
Tevye: Golde, the first time I met you was on our wedding day. I was scared
Golde: I was shy
Tevye: I was nervous
Golde: So was I
Tevye: But my father and my mother said we'd learn to love each other. And now I'm asking, Golde, do you love me?
Golde: I'm your wife
Tevye: "I know..." But do you love me?
Golde: Do I love him? For twenty-five years I've lived with him. Fought him, starved with him
Twenty-five years my bed is his. If that's not love, what is?
Tevye: Then you love me?
Golde: I suppose I do
Tevye: And I suppose I love you too
Both: It doesn't change a thing, but even so, after twenty-five years It's nice to know