Broken Love

Posted by Maralise | March 2, 2007 | 9 Comments

“Break a vase, and the love that reassembles the fragments is stronger than that love which took its symmetry for granted when it was whole.”

—-Derek Walcott from his essay, “The Antilles: Fragments of Epic Memory.”

Category: Daily Special

Comments

9 Responses to “Broken Love”

Heidi
March 2nd, 2007 @ 12:35 pm

What a beautiful thought. It brings to mind all of the ways in which sacrafice–perhaps even unintended–brings beauty to the foreground and renders something precious. Like the Atonement, the ultimate in brokenness, sorrow, grief, having the power to make a mortal human perfect.

What a wonderful way to start my day. Thank you.
Melissa Young
March 2nd, 2007 @ 1:51 pm

So much to ponder in so few words. Thanks for posting this gem, Mara.
Angie
March 2nd, 2007 @ 6:28 pm

Story of my life, in one sentence.

This reminds me of the “broken” post you did a while back. I thought about that one for weeks.
Maralise
March 2nd, 2007 @ 7:44 pm

Angie–me too…that’s one of the reasons why I posted it.
Kristen
March 3rd, 2007 @ 7:48 pm

I’m still getting over the disillusionment I experienced upon getting married, regarding what my marriage would be like. I am beginning to reach a point where I feel that what I have built, with my husband, is much more beautiful, and strong, as a result of our heartaches, than what I would have built had my expectations (however unrealistic) been met.

This is a beautiful thought. Thanks for posting it!
Melinda
March 5th, 2007 @ 5:08 pm

I didn’t really ‘get’ this quote when I first read it. I read it quick and didn’t really think about it. Today I read it again. I now undersand.

I just got back from Petsmart.(Our dog has been thoroughly enjoying the catfood, but he should really eat his own.)It was one of the worst experiences in my life. My four-year-old went ballistic in the store. It was uglier than words can describe. This wasn’t the first time. I can’t tell you how many times I have left the grocery store with scratch marks all over the backs of my hands and him in a straight jacket hold. We all but abandoned field trips because he was such a difficult baby. I can’t tell you how many times we fled the zoo with him screaming in his stroller. He is very tempermental. I know I have permanent hearing damage from him alone.

I thought we had passed that stage. I worked very hard to help him and teach him. We haven’t had an incident in months. Today I am covered with scratches and he actually bit me and drew blood. People were staring at us in dismay and several offered to help, but it was too dangerous to get them involved. He screamed and kicked and hit and scratched and shoved the cart into people. He was beyond reason, believe me I tried. I wrestled him into the cart as he tried to kick my newly puchased items to bits and RAN for the car.

Now, having applied antisceptic and calmed down. I love the little guy all the more. I love him because he isn’t perfect. I try harder with him than any of my other children because he is the hardest. I may even love him the most.-if there is a most.

I love him because he needs me to love him. No one else in this world can, does, or will love him like I do, because he is my little boy. -and,like all of us, he isn’t perfect,he’s broken.
Angie
March 6th, 2007 @ 12:12 am

Wow. What a great story, Melinda. You are an inspiring mom.
Melinda
March 6th, 2007 @ 2:04 pm

Thanks, Angie. That really means a lot to me.

I wrote about it in more detail on my blog, if you are interested.

http://www.melindamorley.com/blog

I tried to find the humor in it.
Tania
May 8th, 2007 @ 1:34 pm

I love this quote, it is so beautiful. For me it is inspiring because it reassures that even in sadness, love can conquer all.