Love Lasts

I was pleased to read a front page article in the New York Times about my friend Rabbi David Wolpe. He recently made the morally courageous decision to officiate at the marriages of gay couples now that same-sex marriages is the law of California.

Last year, Newsweek named him the most influential rabbi in America. I know David well. We have discussed many subjects but we never touched on same sex marriages. Many in the congregation criticized him. They don't realize that to be against same-sex marriage is to be against love.

I asked him, "How did the young people react? How did your 16-year-old daughter Samara react?" The rabbi laughed, "She said, 'Dad, what took you so long?'"

Out of the mouths of babes.

Young people listen to the love songs that declare a love higher than the sky and deeper than the ocean. But they often confuse love with the sexual urges that now overwhelm them. As life goes on they will be saddened as those urges dwindle. Sex may fade, but love... love lasts. They don't realize that the most important element of love will be waiting for them. Romance. Beautiful romance. This is how I express it to my wife:

Romance Begins at 80

And I ought to know.

I live with a girl

Who will tell you so.

I sit by her bath

As she soaks in the tub.

Then help her out

For a strong towel rub.

She likes that a lot

But before I tire.

It's time to pour the wine

And start lighting the fire.

As the fire crackles,

We talk of the past

We met over 50 years ago

Did you think it would last?

The glasses are empty

The ashes are red

Thanks for a lovely evening

But it's time for bed.

When you get to 90

Cherish the memories you had

Those are the only things

That can make you feel glad.

"Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be." -Browning