Corky Burr and the Keepers of Awe

Thirteen words that shape the world.

His name is Corky Burr, age mid-sixties by my calculations.  He and I were high school classmates.  I don’t believe our paths have crossed since, and we really didn’t know each other well then.  I have no memories of him, just a single impression: a small sparkle of kindness.  By “small” I mean his physical size, not quality of light.  Recently we became Facebook friends, which, as millions of us know, means mostly we get to glimpse at whatever sliver of a person’s life they wish to share with their Facebook companions.  The very first statement of Corky’s I was privileged to read was this: “I have 16 more days before I marry the love of my life.”

So rich is that declaration it could be the opening of many a worthy novel or film or play or poem, particularly one of a man whose future will likely be told with fewer calendars than his past.

I’ve been married to the love of my life for 30-plus years.  Every time I see her, or hear her voice, the cells in my body seem to do a little dance.  I am blessed to know in my own way that magical bond that commits one to embrace...well, everything: the Full Monty (however improbable it may be to achieve unless we’re closing in on sainthood).  Simply, we dive deeper into the grand adventure with our beloved than we can imagine doing otherwise.

It’s funny.  Corky’s Facebook post could have been something that led me to infer he and I share an alma mater, or that we presently live in the same town, or that we’re both a little nuts when it comes to building stone sculptures, or maybe even that we are twins separated at birth, if not fellow aliens from another planet.  But as intriguing as any of that common ground might be, none of it matches my happiness for him in having a soul playmate.

I don’t know how big our tribe is, but I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that, since the beginning of time, we have been the keepers of awe.

What does “the love of my life” mean for you?  

[More of my own exploration of that question can be found in some essays I’ve written: Winning the Lottery of Love; Becoming an Elder; Young at Love]

Comments

[W. Todd Fraser]

Sometimes, friendship becomes what is for one while the other sits in a semi-sweet, somewhat abject place. The 'friend' tries to make romance occur in her heart, but cannot...even cries over the lack while the 'lover' sits and waits, saying "Wait for me."

The lover's search is over; he has never met another like her...knows he never will. Further, their time together is seperated by 3000 miles and finances and circumstances have conspired to keep them apart.

He's never been in her physical presence but for over 2 years now, they've been on the phone for 1-2 hours most every day.

He has only sought to control this once and she put an absolute end to that by making him see clearly that she would not be controlled. It lasted for one insane night.

He waits and prays for the changes Spirit needs to effect in his life before Spirit will melt that glacier enshrouding her heart.

And...

I love the way you talk to me.
There's tenderness in your voice now.
It seems we've talked a thousand years
Out of the darkness, over the air,

Comes your voice.

I love to hear it so.
I love to hear your sweeping thoughts.
I never want the sounds to stop.
I love it when you share your heart with shrouded tones...

Comes your voice.

Your voice is still wind for my soul.
It drops to breezy states
That gently captivate since this is me...
I was made to hear it rush as through a choir...

and...

Comes your voice.

The thrill I get when ope's your mouth
And you send forth such currents of thought
And flowing, blowing bouquets of feelings
And then your laughters flow...like waters into me...

And...

...Comes your voice.

So like a hug when you say 'bye'
Sometimes, So sweet, So gently pushed
The air thru chords in silver throat
With linings bright and though on hold now...

And sadly, just my lovely friend...

...Comes your voice.

'n that's what the 'Love of my life' means to me.

[Josie Estill]

The Love of my Life and I have been married for 40 years, but it took me almost half of that before I found he wasn't the "problem" but a gift to me.

I thank the goddess who showed me recovery and led me to LifeStream seminars, so I could see the truth about myself...

To me the Love of my Life means that we joyfully share ourselves with each other, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the sublime beauty we each are, just because we are....

[Cheryl Mansson]

Thrilled to be a fellow "Keeper of the Awe." Steward of Stone. And Lapper of Love.