The Beauty of Unconditional Love
By BlackRepub Posted in Culture — Comments (36) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
I hadn't realized that I haven't blogged in an insanely long time until people that I know started to publicly wonder whether I had taken a leave of absence from politics until after November. Well the truth is, I have been busy lately with something much much bigger than the political scene, as bleak as it looks. In just 3 weeks now, I'm going to be going from the role of boyfriend to husband, and officially being one with my lovely wife, and hopefully having ourselves a baby girl soon to go along with our son. I have been exhausted with marriage and planning, and moving up to our new apartment in Ann Arbor, Michigan that I haven' really had time to look into presidential politics. But what I have been able to do that is actually related to politics is to ponder this idea of unconditional love.
One of the things that I've really been exploring is this idea of unconditional love, forgiveness, and really the ultimate bonding that takes place between two people when they are married. This whole process and being married has brought us together even closer than we were when we began dating nearly six years ago. I always was slightly cynical when I was younger (and yes I know I'm just a baby to many of you) about the idea that I would one day meet that perfect person. To quote one of my favorite movies, the way I feel right now when I look at my bride, I know there is a God. And that He loves me so much that He took the time to create her just for me. To that, I have not been blessed-I have been divinely favored.
This amazing feeling that I have is something that I feel for my family, this unconditional love that I can feel every time I look at her picture, or talk to her on the phone, planning another aspect of our lives. There is an unbreakable bond, until death do us part, that I feel all the way down to my soul. What I have learned from this experience is twofold as it relates to politics. There are many more important things than an election, and of course, she is always, always right. ::smile::
Politics is not life-it cannot and should not be all consuming. We are political junkies because we love the breath of politics. We relish it and cheer for our team like I cheer for the Bears, Cowboys, and my beloved White Sox. But every now and then, we have to acknowledge that the team isn't going in the right direction. In the GOP's case, I'd fire the coach, draft a Quarterback in the first round and give some of the rookies a more prominent role. We have to take the Party in a new direction if we want to start winning again. No one wins in 2008 by playing the same way that we played in 1988. The game has changed-there's new technology, new rules, and if we don't adapt, we are going to die. I don't enjoy saying these things-no one loves to acknowledge how badly their favorite team is doing. Right now, I look at my party, and all I see s us asking where are we going, why is it so hot in here, and why are we all in this handbasket?
We need to be able to examine ourselves through good times and bad, sickness and in health. Right now our party is sick, and we are tearing each other apart looking for a cure. We are fighting over immigration, economic policy, environmental policy, the War on Terror, social issues, and no one is willing to give. Perhaps this is like the Godfather, where these things need to happen, as Clemenza says, as it helps to get all the bad blood out. Perhaps we need a President Obama to get our heads on straight. But let us never become so consumed as I think we have been that we have lose sight of our humanity. Behind every single bloggername, there is a person with feelings and concerns, and beliefs that we all hold dearly. We have become so vicious since we were given McCain as the standard bearer of the GOP and I don't think we've really gotten past this as much as we've heard suck it up, move on, he's the guy. But what I've found is that at the end of the day, there are more important things than McCain and La Raza, Obama and Reverend Wright, Slick Hilly and Bosnia and the countless other lies she tells. At the end of the day, if we don't have the House, the Senate, or the White House, we have each other, our families. And that's a love that no political victory or loss can ever ever replace.
P.S. Don't think I've gone completely soft with love-I'm still the hardened streetfighter I've always been-and I won't be taking down my Rudy sticker. It's no McCain slight-I just admire my hippie punching streetfighters-kind of like a favorite player on the team thing. My love for Jordan was no slight against Scottie Pippen-you get the drift. Now let's win this d*mn thing for God sakes.
And I'm only substituting until I go full time in Ann Arbor next fall. So I decided not to wait until tomorrow. And I finally got some time to post which made me very happy, and I wanted to post before I got distracted and unmotivated tomorrow.
Someone's got to punch the hippies.
I can't say much about love as I haven't gotten there yet myself, but congratulations on the marriage! And don't worry about the election, America loves an upset
it is good that you know that one early!
Hey aside from that sappy love stuff (just kidding!), that is some good advice on the politics. We've got to learn to 'get dirty behind the schoolbus' (favorite SWAT quote) in this new and ever-changing political landscape.
There are a few certain things we can count on, and we should build all our tactics and strategies from these:
(1) Conservatism WORKS every time it's tried.
(2) Conservatism WINS ELECTIONS -- every time it's tried -- when you communicate clearly, exactly what you mean, and don't knuckle under to the Treason Media and wussie moderates.
(3) Fred, baby! Although I'll grant you your Rudy as a not-bad alternative.
Kill the terrorists
Protect the borders
Punch the hippies -- Frank J
I kept waiting for him to wake up and start kicking some a**. I left Fred early when I felt like I was working harder for him than he was for himself, and gave money to both the Rudy and Romney campaigns. But yeah I agree-conservatism works whenever its tried-but the problem is every faction has their own idea of conservatism is. Fred was as close as we had to nono hypehnated fusion conservatism, and he never got going strong out of the gate, which is why I backed Romney because I felt he was the next in line for a fusion conservative and Rudy because he and I line up well on my political beliefs down the line. Somewhere along the line, we all got a bit screwed and lost our way completely. BTW, Pacman Jones!-I told you he was coming to the Boys.
Someone's got to punch the hippies
I am getting really 'not good' vibes from Commish Goodell on Pacman. You know, I'm pretty opposed to the thugs & punks in the NFL and NBA, but this Pacman --well, let's say that I'm open to the possibility that he'll learn to fly in formation.
We are going to have the -- by a mile -- best secondary in the NFL. We will be 4 deep in starters (3 pro-bowlers and a rookie standout), JUST in corners. Nobody has that. And I tell you what, I had heard the whispers saying that Felix Jones was a top-10 pick in any universe other than the one in which he chares the backfield in college with DMac. Oh, my freaking gosh, you should watch the highlight films (and the rookie mini-camp). Give him one year and Barber will be back to his 3rd-down back job, getting 8 carries a game.
OK, Black, you know I am the GateKeeper (at RedState) of non-hyphenated Conservatism, and it means ONE thing, it has ONE interpretation, and as time goes on, we'll be getting RedState educated on that - courtesy of excellent essays from Reagan, Kirk, and Goldwater on all that.
I'm taking my time getting to that because (1) I want to do it right, and (2) things are a little touchy right now, and studies on pure conservatism are not very flattering to our candidate.
Kill the terrorists
Protect the borders
Punch the hippies -- Frank J
My personal political hero, I look forward to your work on it. I agree, studies on conservatism are not very flattering to our candidate. Can you imagine if McCain gave Goldwater's convention speech in August?? I might actually wet myself with excitement to vote for McCain. ::wakes up:: Oh man, I had this crazy dream that McCain was a conservative...
Also-I'm a bit disappointed we didn't grab Mendenhall. I think that he's going to be the best back. ::whispers:: I'm calling it, and no one is going to beleive me until it happens-McFadden is a NFL bust, and next year the biggest bust is Tebow.
Someone's got to punch the hippies
Hey, I'll give you that Mendenhall is very good - he's like Barber, except with some moves and breakout speed. I'm just here to say, Felix is going to be amazing. He is going to be what they hoped Reggie Bush would be, and I mean that - he has the rep for outside-only, but he is severely underrated between the tackles. Shifty and tough, avoiding solid hits just like Emmitt, but a little taller, a little bigger, alot faster. More durable than he looks (although maybe nobody will ever be as durable as Emmitt).
I don't know about McFadden and bust. Could be, but I lean toward no. Let's keep this conversation in mind, and review it in a couple of years.
Kill the terrorists
Protect the borders
Punch the hippies -- Frank J
Seeing what he did to USC. That line in Pittsburgh is gonna help him have a monstrous season, Oaklands line isn't good enough for McFadden to be as effective as he was in college. But who knows-that's why they play the game. I hope you're right on Jones, I was really surprised honestly that Jerry Jones didn't move up to snag McFadden-all the reports said he was going to try. I can't wait for football season to start-but at least it's NBA playoff time.
Someone's got to punch the hippies
and the 49ers are both jokes, perhaps they might be better if one of them got USC's QB, Booty. Now that the Sharks are out of the running for the Stanley Cup, I have to turn my attention to baseball, and my Cubs and White Sox are both looking good.
My Stars put you out of business this time. And a good thing for me too since my Mavs suck big green ones.
Kill the terrorists
Protect the borders
Punch the hippies -- Frank J
the team as a whole wasn't playing well. Nabokov was, but the goalie's performance doesn't make too much of a difference if everyone else is playing horribly, especially on the power plays.
"A man can be destroyed but not defeated" - Ernest Hemingway
He was outstanding throughout, and his performance in the 7-period game was epic. I mean, you're right, he had nobody in front of him helping at all, and he had a whole slew of circus-stunt stops. I was very, very afraid we were losing that one and going to SJ for game 7.
Kill the terrorists
Protect the borders
Punch the hippies -- Frank J
It didn't go back to SJ. I would have enjoyed seeing them play again, and the freebies they give out are nice as well.
"A man can be destroyed but not defeated" - Ernest Hemingway
Not the way that they are playing. Soriano couldn't find the ball in the outfield if Stevie Wonder pointed it out to him.
Now also found at The Minority Report
And how are you a Cubs and Sox fan? You must live in neutral territory-Did you see Gavin Floyd got two outs away from the no hitter again tonight??
Someone's got to punc
...my Cowboys need a good load-sharer for Barber.
If he had continued to run like he did his rookie season, he'd a been great. I think Parcells messed up his head good.
Kill the terrorists
Protect the borders
Punch the hippies -- Frank J
Act like a Russian sailor..And I say but I dont know Russian..And she says "Exactly..."
"It is a pointy stick, and I need to stop myself from wielding it, does RS no good and is not good manners."....steveLA
I wish you and your new bride a long, happy and productive life together!
Oh and the rest of your post was right on too.
Socialism doesn't work. It looks nice on paper, but it's been tried and it's failed miserably every time (usually accompanied by widespread death and suffering).
Proud member of the V.R.W.C.
Someone's got to punc
You were probably making that statement tongue-in-cheek, but for those out there who do not have the history that the two of you do, I would warn that "the woman is always right" is a dangerous stance to take.
Marriage is not capitulation, and it is not a compromise. It is a cooperative. You are both working towards something that is greater than the two of you separately, and you both have strengths and weaknesses that you will need to figure out together (most likely, BlackRepub, you already have if you've been dating this long).
I hear people repeat that old saw about the woman always being right and I want to smack them on the nose with a rolled up newspaper's divorce section and say, "No!" You are not a species of marine life that becomes absorbed by your partner after mating.
Now, do I give in to my wife when picking out clothing, or deciding on whether to let the oldest kid grow his hair long? Of course. It's not a big deal, it makes everyone happier, and I recognize that she's usually better at that kind of stuff than me, anyway. And the great part is, she doesn't want to always be right. She loves me and respects my opinions as much as I love her and respect hers.
However, we did come to a difference of opinions on the subject of an allowance for our kids. My wife wanted to create a list of chores for the kids, and, if they were all checked off at the end of the week, they got $xx (this is how she was raised). I wanted to tell them what their responsibilities were, and failure to perform these tasks would mean no extra rewards. Her method taught the value of saving money and following processes. My method taught the value of taking personal responsibility. I could have just given in to her, but I know that it would have been a point of contention in our relationship.
Therefore, we sat down and talked it out. We agreed that they had regular responsibilities (make bed, set table, brush teeth, etc.) that had to be done. These would be performed without weekly pay, but would be rewarded in other ways ("Alvin and the Chipmunks is out on DVD? Sure, we can pick that up in town for you." or "No, you can't have that Pokemon. You haven't been making your bed.") However, we also agreed that when they helped out in ways outside of those responsibilities (picking up the yard, washing the car, etc.) they would receive pay, which they could save to purchase whatever they wanted.
Just my $.02, but I do have over 10 years of a great marriage to back me up.
Anyway, congratulations to you, BlackRepub, and your soon-to-be wife/mom^2.
Although I've given in on the wedding planning, not my area of expertise and it is hers, so it was more of my lesson learned from wedding planning. I appreciate your advice, and she definitely gives me free reign on most other things, but we're a real solid team. I'm really excited, every day is a day closer to the big day. Thanks for the advice, and today is a nother great day :-)
Someone's got to punch the hippies.
But when the vein in her forehead looks like it will pop...she is right...at least for the time being.
Now also found at The Minority Report
Of course, the early battles I'm conceding for the later ones :-)
Someone's got to punch the hippies.
Always go for the tie. Period.
Congrats BR....I wish you and yours all the best...holla b4 you bug out to MI
" Got to love the Lord for making things like that."
Morally Compromised
Leaving next week though-I'm so tired of packing-I don't want to even type the word box anymore :-). Don't worry, I'll still be a Sox fan-although the Pistons are reeling me in...:-)
Someone's got to punch the hippies.
talk about ThugLife!!! :P I do miss those match ups tween the old Bulls and the Pistons....
" Got to love the Lord for making things like that."
Morally Compromised
But Chi Sox are non-negotiable, as are the Bears. I could be convinced to become a solid Pistons fan althought they only have another year or 2 to remain relevant. Next year marks the beginning of the Lebron Era officially.
Someone's got to punch the hippies.
I don't feel like a very successful man, but I have been successfully married for nearly 25 years, so that counts as something. Don't regret a minute of it. Just remember that she is always right and you will be Ok.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
Except on the wedding day!
On this day, she is absolutely Queen of all creation, and everyone around her is required to acquiesce to her every whim.
:)
---
Finrod's First Law of Bandwidth:
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it takes the bandwidth of ten thousand.
As one of those who is older than the hills, I can tell you that love will be a stronger emotion as time goes on, you will be pleasantly supprised by this (as I was).
Congratulations on the pending nuptials.
BTW
I've learned there a couple phrases that will save you a world of trouble. "Yes Dear"..."you're right Dear" and my favorite..."If you ever leave me, I'm going with you"!
Good post as well...I love ya...but don't think I'll back down when I'm right, (which is pretty much most of the time...LOL)...but I got yer back if a Dem is foolish enough to get between us!
CFR, Amnesty, Spending, Corruption,
Earmarks, Socialized Medicine:
”Your Silence Is Your Consent!”
and I have no idea what I did right.
Congratulations all around, you are a lucky man.
Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity
I'm 41 & have been married for 20 years to the same lovely woman. Each anniversary, we say "I can't believe it either." Political activity has been part of our relationship since early on - she was the first republican and woman to run for State Rep. in a heavily democrat district in forever, just 4 years into our marriage. Unconditional love doesn't mean that you "like" each other all the time or have no "discussions," it does mean that you take seriously your committment to each other. Congratulations again!
beautiful. Too bad it's after midnight here in the midwest. You got me fired up to go kick some liberal ###.
Now also found at The Minority Report