I saw a meme on a friend’s Facebook page today, and it made me think a lot about how I have expressed my feelings towards the ones that I love over the years.
The meme made me wonder if I truly expressed to my loves how much I wanted them, or if I expressed my want of them in a way that they were able to comprehend. Language is a funny thing, and the language of love can confound the purest of intentions between two people. I truly loved my wife, but she left me behind. Was it because I didn’t give her the love she needed, or was it because she couldn’t return the love that I needed?
One thing I’ve discovered about myself over the years is that I love fiercely. Or at least I love fiercely in my mind. Whether its a one-night stand (which I’ve only had a couple in my life), or a long-term relationship, my love is with much abound. But I never really thought about if my partner understands that I want her, or how much I want her, during that time of our relationship.
In 1968, singer Glen Campbell released a hit record called “Wichita Lineman”. The lyrics were written by Jimmy Webb, who had already won a Grammy for “Up, Up and Away”, a hit single for The Fifth Dimension, and Campbell’s previous hit, “By the Time I get to Phoenix”.
The lyrics are simple, yet powerful:
And I drive the main road
Searchin’ in the sun for another overload
I hear you singin’ in the wire, I can hear you through the whine
And the Wichita lineman is still on the line
But it don’t look like rain
And if it snows that stretch down south
Won’t ever stand the strain
And I need you more than want you
And I want you for all time
And the Wichita lineman is still on the line