Wednesday 29 July 2009

Love Letters


Vanessa, a sweet soul (Vanessa's Runway) paid me a kind compliment two posts back and then mentioned my possibly writing love letters.

I must admit, I've never written one or a love poem. Received letters and poems? Perhaps. Modesty forbids one from discussing details. The truth is, in my mind, those didn't count, because the emotion (carefully avoiding the word - love) was not reciprocated.

I truly admire people who can profess love through a letter, without knowing how the beloved receiver may react. It is brave, it is hopeful, sometimes it's just foolish. But I would rather encounter an honest fool than a dishonest vagabond. Did I just type vagabond? Alas must be the Browning influence.

Secretly too, sometimes, I peer out from under an emotional hat, wondering what it must be like to love the sender of a love letter. I've never been in love, not even close. I guard my heart carefully and want to be with one person and not waste a lifetime tasting the fall-aways. This may seem quaint and old-fashioned in this day and age, but I'm OK with that. Although I do tend to hear the chorus of "When one has so much love to give it would be a waste not to marry...". People mean well. Yet, one cannot force love, one cannot conjure chemistry or forge true understanding. It is so much easier to be friends than to know who your life partner should be.

So when I come across a love letter, a genuine profession of the beating heart, It moves me, in a sweet sad way that can only be compared to looking through glass at a beautiful sight you cannot touch. Then I close the shutters. And reality crowds in like welcome clouds. I am reminded how blessed I am, how gifted with good people and true love in other ways.

The rose you see above is a love letter. One picked by my father to give to my mother. After decades of marriage I am touched by how sweetly they can share love. In ways I cannot describe here, they bring an example for me to look up to. I also see it in my friends, a couple who have been through so much in a youthful marriage, perhaps the sum of challenges some face in decades and still their strength and faith revives and holds up their love. They are amazing to me. They make the choice to see the good in everyday and each other. I think the best examples of love to me are those who choose to work as a team, no matter what and make it them against life's inevitable tests. Perhaps that is the best love letter, the unwritten, never finished one. Where the pages are years and the words are their actions.

Love is such a delicate beautiful giver, of the heart and the mind. I am reminded that if anyone wants proof of God they need only think of love. I hope you can all take the time to treasure the soul that is entwined with yours today. Feel free to write a love letter, or even share it. This wonderland was made with love. So I guess, these posts are my journey but also, my love letter to you.

Peace,
x

65 comments:

Deidra said...

That was just beautiful. Your words capture your meaning and make me smile. Faith, hope and love remain, but the greatest of the three is love.

Laurel said...

Oh My Sweet Friend. I have missed you and your stunning words. How lovely. I have been acting a bit snippy (ok a lot snippy) with my love and need to be nicer. I have every love letter he ever wrote me . I treasure them and will give them to my daughters. I have my beloved Grandfather's love notes to my Grandmother. I will treasure them always. You are young and so so together and that I believe is because you have been finding and living and loving yourself. So many people find another to share with before they themselves are whole. That leaves bits of people.:) scattered around I think. Love to you Sweet Girl.

Anonymous said...

Excellent post. I think the Lebanese writer Khalil Gibran wrote the best love letters. His letters to May Ziadah are really heartfelt.

Vivian said...

Your entry was very moving. Love letters are so beautiful, I've only had maybe one or two, but they were so meaningful because the sentiment was shared. I agree with you though, love is something so strong and special, and I admire you for waiting for the perfect person, the perfect timing. It's worth the wait.... I think.

ps- thanks for your comments on my own blog. the drive between toronto and montreal is about 5 hours, so it's a nice road trip. and would i ever live in japan? YES. I hope i do, in the near future...

Sierra said...

Thank you for your love letter, this post was very well written! I love this author and her husband wrote such a darling letter to her. I hope your future is filled with love, laughter, and many love letters...
whether they be written or shown with actions and sincerity! XO!

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful post Clarity. For one who has never been in love you write about it beautifully. I think your attitude about love and wanting to be with just the one is so refreshing and lovely. The person you fall in love with will be blessed and honored to have your love.

Love letters are an amazing pouring out of emotion and show such a courageous willingness to be vulnerable and trust in another person. They are not often written and so worth treasuring.
I think letter writing in general is a sadly lost art and practice and one I try to practice often.

Thank you for your post.
Amy

Cheryl Lynn said...

How sweet and lovely are your thoughts on love letters. This is such a powerful sentiment and a necessary reminder of what really is and should be important in the lives of humans. God put us here to worship Him and to allow His love to flow through us. We are conduits who, all too often, suffer a serious blockage of the current. Your post shows us that we must not decrease but increase the flow.

Thanks for stopping by and for your very kind comments.

Micki said...

That post was quite beautiful! You have the gift of the gab, as they say here in Ireland. I have met my anam cara(souldmate), and we inititally did it through letters.We were destinee to find each other, if you heard the story about us, and we have now been together for 13 years. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am glad that I found yours. You are a romantic at heart. One of my favorite books was Wuthering Heights...Need I say more? I enjoyed the post!
Micki

Purple Flowers said...

A lovely post about a very deep and personal subject.
Love letters are a true testament of one's own love for another. It is an outpouring of thoughts and feelings, possibly not otherwise expressed.
Your express yourself beautifully.

Unknown said...

Beautiful post, it makes me think. A love letter, to me, is a wonderful and romantic thing, but even more beautiful are not the big demonstrations but the little things a person who loves you does that mean the most to me (especially after you've been married for a while and love letters have gotten lost in the mail lol).

Tracy said...

Such a beautiful post, Clarity! Love is a precious gift that can be given and received. To wait for love is an admirable thing...When love happens, one is sure. The heart does not lie. Keep you gift of love for the One. To love oneself is a gift too. And it is often said that we must love ourselves first in order to love another fully. I think that is quite. To be love in motion has been my own aim. I wear my heart on my sleeve...and freely give my love. To be able to do so is a blessing. May love be your dwelling place. :o)

Anonymous said...

I'm beyond speechless! Your writing is....i don't know..you're GOOD! Aaahhh.....give me more ;-) XXX, Carmie.

Anonymous said...

Ooh, sorrrry, a BIG thanks as wel of course!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Such a lovely post. And you know, I think love must be rather like the perfect dress...you can never find it when you're looking for it. You just stumble on it one day and know you have to have it, no matter what!

Renee said...

Clarity this is so beautiful.

I feel that this post was a gift (a love letter of sorts) to all of us who have the pleasure to be here at your site with you today.

Love Renee xoxo

Dream Sequins said...

I love this: "Perhaps that is the best love letter, the unwritten, never finished one. Where the pages are years and the words are their actions."

I used to write mad love letters, exchange feverish notes with my first boyfriend in high school. I used to treasure each and every word, drink in every single glance and moment. He was, in my estimation, the love of my life. But now, years and years later, I am married to a man who writes very few letters, and in his actions, professes his love to me everyday. He always says I love you-- and is a considerate soul, even if he's no Robert Browning...

moa said...

hi -
oh! so beautiful post!
...and thanks for your kind words....you made my day :0)

hugs from moa

VanessasRunway said...

ahhh another gorgeous post! AND YES, I did type "Love Letters" lol You would never believe! Looking back I'm actually pretty impressed (they're more poetic and musical then anything though). I use to write my fiance love letters when we were just bf/gf but since being together for 6 years I now write love post-it notes and love-texts, just to keep the momentum going! haha

I think you'll write your first amazing love note when you find the right person! And maybe you can post it for us to see and maybe learn a few tips on how to write so beautifully?! haha ok maybe not. :)

Anonymous said...

Oh my, what a beautifully written post! I love the part about the rose being the love letter for your parents. So touching.

P.S. I've never met anyone else who loves dark rooms before! Haha :)

Cafe Fashionista said...

Love this. I would absolutely die if a cute boy wrote me a love letter. I would adore him forever! :)

Shell said...

A sweet and romantic post that made my heart sigh. I do hope Clarity you do fall in love with a wonderful person. It is an experience not to be missed.

Clarity said...

Your words are all lovely and I treasure the exchange. From Laurel, dear heart who is keeping the words of love to pass down, to Vanessa Socialite's continuation of them, to fashionista's wish to receive, thank you.

Cheryl, I so agree. Thank you too to OceanDreams and Amy and those who wish love, very touching.

Lori ann said...

dear clarity,

sigh...two of the best words in the english language, love letter. when you fall in love, which you will, make sure to keep all your lovely letters in a safe place securely tied with a ribbon and in the order in which they were recieved. well, maybe you can skip the last one, but it does make for nice continutity when you snuggle up one day with them for some soulwarmingfilling words more precious than gold.

i love coming here.

la cuisine bourgeois said...

oh this is so beautiful. makes me all mushy.

In regards to True Blood--- so far I have been very impressed with the show, but recently it has taken a vulgar turn, mixing violence and gore with sex...and it is getting to be revolting rather than entertaining. Be careful, you might not be able to stomach it. ugh

Clarity said...

Dear Lori, thank you and love having you stop by here,

Bel, thanks too. I'll give that show a miss.

Hello Lindello said...

beautiful words deary.

ps. i will include you in my contest!

Lola said...

Dear Clarity,

What a wonderful post! I came across your gorgeous site at Heavenly Housewife's - I'm the "white chocolate dog" she's referring to in her photo!!

Hope you have great weekend & I'll be back soon to catch up on more of your lovely posts...!

xxxLOL LOLA:)

Willow said...

You are wise to guard your heart. Loving and losing can make one cynical. True love is sacrificial love. When I first realized my beloved (of 37 years) was sacrificing a fun weekend to stay with me because I had to work, something changed in our relationship-- I knew he loved me and I could love him without fear. I hope for that kind of love for you.

And just so you know, we spent our early dating times and our engagement months walking on the beach!

Giovanna said...

Beautiful post! Thanks for sharing it :)
It touched my heart. I love letters and love expressions through art.
Thanks for visiting my blog and for the lovely comment :)
xxx
Giovanna

Rebecca Corvese said...

Wow! You really should write love poems! You have a way with words. Some people have it and some people don't. You, my girl, have it! Lovely!

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Hi Clarity...thank you for your visits and very generous comments...I do hope you try that sticky date pudding!!!
And what a wonderful post this is...so full of love♥ And what a wonderful Wonderland you do have...Love Makes The World Go Round...Dzintra♥x

ajgallion said...

It's been some time since I've written a love letter, myself, but I can tell you -- it is one of the most invigorating and beautiful experiences for the lover/writer. I suppose the reciprocity factor would determine how it's taken in by the reader. :)

Lola said...

Dear Clarity,
Thank you so much for stopping by with your lovely comment!

The Giveway winner has just been announced over at my place so I don't want to spoil the fun for you by revealing if Paul N was the TRUE statement or not!

Love your blog. And will be back again soon to dip into some more terrific posts...

xxxLOL LOLA:)
PS Am yr newest follower!

Christina said...

i agree that you cannot force love or attraction, however, true understanding comes with time and work. i've found love... understanding, however, i strive for every day.
you are very talented with words!

Laurel said...

HI sweet friend- I wanted to send you a special love letter hug for your constant support and friendship.
I feel so peaceful always after reading your comments. That is a marvelous gift.
I am having a restful weekend. Spencer passed his test (the main part-he has to retake a small written part) so a weight has been lifted like you cannot imagine. I want him to know the success awaiting him-and believe it. :) Love Love and more love to you Sweet Clarity :)

Lola said...

Me again! Thanks so much for the friend link - such a compliment!

But got to get back now to that post-awards party & Daniel, George etc...!

xxxLOL LOLA:)

Tasha said...

Nooo..I haven't bought any boots just yet. A bit of a cash flow problem is kinda preventing that from happpening. That said, I'm currently away from home with barely any suitable wet weather footwear, so gonna have to bankrupt myself and get something :)

GrannySmithGreen said...

If this isn't the sweetest post. What heart felt writing.

I think LOVE is the answer to just about every problem we encounter. If only life were not so complicated. Life sometimes just messes up my idealism!

(and like you mentioned with Princess Diana--bless her heart, she didn't know what she was getting into. For her prince to say, "In love? I suppose, whatever love is." Ugh!

French Fancy... said...

What beautiful words of love. I'd forgotten what a lovely blog you have.I'm not going to do this again though because now you are clamped to my sidebar

debra@dustjacket said...

I love how you write.

I think to want to be with one person and to wait for that, not accepting just mediocre, is a great ideal.

That is such a beautiful rose.

Thank you so much for your comments at mine too.

xxx

Jeanne said...

Fabulous♥

ceecee said...

I stopped by to say hello and found this beautiful post. I collect old letters at flea markets and it would be very rare to come across a love letter. They are such treasures.
Many thanks for your visit,Clarity.
Catherine

Diane Dorrans Saeks said...

HELLO-CLARITY-

Say it with flowers!
You also spoke thousands of words with the beautiful red roses you selected to express your sentiments, doubts, thoughts, ideas and concepts.

A thoughtful post! Who said the electronics and computers are a 'cool' medium?

Anika said...

What sentiment :)

I adore the true romance to be found in the little things in life. It re-ascerts my faith in humanity.

And this post is a perfect example of the above. Beautiful in every sense.

p.s. will def rock the snood (still love :) and crystal shoes soooon!

Have a fab week gorgeous!

Marie said...

Clarity, you have just written
a love letter. One to your parent's precious love and one
to your dear readers - Thank
you. I admire your honesty about
never being in love and what
love truly is. My parents also
have set such high bar of what
love actually looks and feels like
it is hard for me to settle [not
that I want to] for anything less.
Thanking for putting into words
what is in my heart.

BALLET NEWS said...

lovely - thank you !

indigotangerine said...

love letters are so wonderful, though i've never been lucky enough to recieve one myself. It just seems so daring to send one, and one most give points for bravery.
-indigo

polli said...

How exciting we have so much in common! i love morocco and Mozambique and God!

Thanks for the lovely comment on my page!
I just made a new post because I love Marie Antoinette so much (movie) that is lol!


Come visit again soon :)

beauty comma said...

I wish we modern people would have learned to write like Robert Browning. I've read other letters from this era, and they're so detailed, so beautiful and so poetic that even letters to friends become love letters.

Swedish Interiors said...

What an inspiring post written by a gifted writer. Thank you for your loving words of encouragement on our new blog. We will try to post when the spirit moves. So far the best part has been meeting such wonderful people as yourself!

xo Edie

Anonymous said...

dear clarity in wonderland,

I love Elizabeth Barrett Browning so it was lovely to read this.

I'm not very good at cooking and pitta bread is a bit more erm, shall I say less destructible that normal bread. I like teacups and porcelain, its just I'm not supposed to have them because their lifespan becomes very short whenever they come into my possession.

I might ask for another one because he ruined my name. I am very fond of David Tennant, he's so strangely attractive, I think its the sheer force of his personality that makes him so. He looks like he believes in magic.

thank you for your lovely, thoughtful comments, they are much appreciated.

take care

x

paolo said...

thanks Clarity, that is so wonderful ! beautiful thoughts for beautiful hearts!!

TheChicGeek said...

That was absolutely beautiful....thank you for that. It was perfect and has touched my heart.

Have a Beautiful Day!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Thanks a bunch for your sweet comment on my "August" post. To answer your question, much like a painter and his sketchbook, I am constantly writing. While interior design has been my main profession, I have been grateful for the outlet my blog has afforded me to release some of these many images from my head. I have thought recently about the possibility of putting some of my writing into book form, but as yet haven't worked up the nerve to attempt it. Your words are encouraging. Thank you!

Renee said...

Clarity thank you for the wonderful advice.

You will be happy to know that I am back in to hope again, and I know that it is a must in my arsenal in these battles.

Love Renee xoxo

Unknown said...

so wonderful. thank you for sharing...when I married my husband I gave him a book of the greatest love letters...I look at it all the time...I like to open up to a random page and read.

vicki archer said...

What a beautiful way of thinking and you are so right to wait for your true love...Enjoy your weekend, xv.

Unknown said...

I hope you are doing well, Clarity. Have a lovely and relaxing weekend.

Amy

Renee said...

Sending you some love Clarity.

xoxo

Lola said...

Hi, me again!

Just stopped by to say have left a little something for you on my site.

So enjoyed this post!

Have a wonderful week & see you again soon!

xxxLOL LOLA:

Modern Crush said...

Just beautiful clarity, from the heart. And one thing I might add, "God is Love"

Unknown said...

I love the Brownings- a peek into Victorian literature of the deep respect and love men have always had for women. I don't get many love letters, and for the women that do I unfortunately internally berate my husband for not profusely sharing his love in eloquent words. but i am learning to take the text messages, phone calls, and other little gestures as his form of expressing love. but of course he has a box of love letters from me :) it really is fun to give, even if you don't always receive.

p.s. carmel-by-the-sea photos were not a private beach, but it was a weekday so there were few tourists out, and it is rather breezy and scares off most californian's who are used to sunbathing on hot sand!

Clarity said...

You are all truly lovely.
Thank you for sharing with me.

Jessica Coody said...

I just returned a book to our town library entitle "The World's Greatest Letters"... it was such a treasure-full of letters between historical figures, writers, artists, etc.
I've noticed we have very similar tastes in literature :)

anna said...

I like this blog post of yours. So nice,so wonderful. I like the word you used. Keep it up!