February 14, 2011

A Love Story.

I have written about love before, numerous times. I posses a romantic mind, a passionate heart and a strong conviction that life without love isn't much of a life. Despite pain and disappointments, which often rule the world, the proof of love's infinite allure and true existence is nevertheless endlessly obvious.
Considering it is Valentine's Day today, I thought I would revisit this emotion once again and I do so with great pleasure and joy.

To love is to live and to be able to continue feeling love throughout life is a gift. Love takes many shapes and can be expressed in so many ways. It can be romantic or platonic, fleeting and everlasting, unrequited or unconditional, passionate or tender, flamboyant or covert - but it has one single constant - it defines us as human beings and makes life bearable. It inspires great artists, musicians, writers and poets and it comes across as the reason why we are here, as it connects us all.

The romantic love is often viewed as an illusion. The cynics will say it is a short lived infatuation, almost a clinical condition - an illness if you will. A possession that makes us blind, as we view reality through the eyes of temporary insanity. Perhaps that is the truth. But perhaps those who believe this never really had the courage to fall in love.
As I know it takes courage to fall the way that makes us look foolish and exposed, utterly vulnerable, while we risk being ridiculed and ultimately have our heart shattered into thousands of pieces. Nevertheless, to give fearlessly into those transcending feelings despite the knowledge that we might be forced to walk away empty handed and disappointed is the essence of true love - this is the only way I know how to love.

Thus the love stories of great sacrifices are the most romantic of them all in my eyes. The ones where great men and at times women would give up so much, as they simply could not see themselves face a life where the object of their desire was not present.

Such is the tale of King Edward of England and his love, Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee for whom the king gave up his throne. Some view this as the love story of the century, while many as a scandal that threatened to weaken the monarchy.
I fall into the first category, in no uncertain terms.

Edward became king in January 1936 and had many desires to become a modern monarch. He intended to marry Wallis Simpson, a woman he fell deeply and passionately in love with and who returned his love with the same token. However, he was informed by the prime minister that his subjects would deem the marriage morally unacceptable, largely because remarriage after divorce was opposed by the Church of England, and the people would not tolerate Wallis as Queen.

Thus after only barely a year on the throne, in December 1936, Edward, now reverted to the style of prince, made a broadcast to the nation and the Empire, explaining his decision to abdicate. He famously said, 
"I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as king as I would wish to do, without the help and support of the woman I love."

Wallis and Edward married in a small ceremony on June 3, 1937. They remained shun by the royal family and forced into exile for the rest of their lives; nevertheless they remained loyally devoted to each other until the Duke's death in Paris in 1972. Wallis died 14 years later in 1986.
They are buried beside one another in the royal burial grounds of Windsor Castle.

42 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Have a wonderful, miraculeus valentinesday and may your hearts desire be forfilled, even if it is only for today.

Elisabeth said...

I still weep over romances, Zuzana, even as I know no one 'lives happily ever after'. Thanks for reminding me of this great love story.

Sandy said...

Yes, I believe that LOVE makes the world go around! I watched a program tonight on Queen Elizabeth and the royal loves...Charles marrying Diana whom he didn't love...and finally after all those years marrying the woman he did love. It's sad what Charles did to Diana but the union did produce two fine sons. At least Edward fought back and married the woman he loved rather than stay King and marry without love. I hope that William and Kate are treated better by the Press than the other royals have been in the past. Have a Happy Valentine's Day Zuzana!

Brian Miller said...

lovely. what a cool story as well. love wins. love is the point. to love and be loved. yeah they got no cure for what i got...ha. happy valentines day my friend...

Christmas-etc... said...

To be honest... I see both sides of the story especially today with divorce being epidemic to our modern world suggesting perhaps, in 20/20 hindsight, that the Church of England was right to be concerned... Thankfully, the present queen and her parents were up to the job; a very thankless and difficult one. And it is very good that Edward and Wallis lived the so-called, "happily Ever after..."

So glad you like the St. Nicholas church I posted today! I actually thought about you when posting it and wondered if you had visited it. :)
Happy Valentine Day!
Ann

S. Susan Deborah said...

Incidentally my parents also married on June 3. Not a great one, though. I am a sucker for any love stories. Zuzana, I am also quite a romantic like you. I enjoy reading real life love stories and often they inspire me in love. No matter how many times I have failed, I have always fallen in love over na dover again.
On this note, may I ask you the advance of the Aquarian who is presently in your life. Love indeed makes the world go around.

I wish you a happy Valentines dear Zuzana. May love eternally colour your life, romantically and otherwise.

Joy always,
Susan

Love is always bestowed as a gift — freely, willingly, and without expectation … We don’t love to be loved; we love to love.

Colleen said...

That is a beautiful story of the strength of love! I also believe in love...I believe strongly it is a choice we make. Our own decision. It certainly does exist, I wouldn't want to live without it.:)

Happy Valentine's day Zuzana! Once again, just beautifully presented thoughts!

Anonymous said...

I have always loved the story of Wallis and Edward and their undying love for one another... As for the royal family, BOO HISS. Such backward rules they have.

Di

Donna said...

Lovely post. Happy Valentine's Day, Zuzana!

Hugs,
Donna

Claus said...

Ahhh love...I know mother's love, friends' love, love for life, love for pets, but not the other love people talk about. Probably the reason why I dislike Valentine's Day, romantic (to the bones!) songs and movies? I am happy the way my life, and feel in no way bitter or incomplete. Love comes in many different ways, but often wonder how the kind that shatters your heart feels like?
Happy Valentine's Day Zuzana!...also the day of friendship and affection in Guatemala :o)

Julie Hibbard said...

Happy Valentine's Day, Zuzana! May you always know (and FEEL) how very much you are loved.

Myrna R. said...

Thank you for the love story Zuzana. I'm a romantic too. I love love.

Hope you have a wonderful Valentine's day. Please know that thought I know only what you write, it seems easy to see that you are a loving person. May love bless you always.

Kath said...

Wishing you eternal love, beautiful Zuzana. The man who has your heart is lucky indeed xx

jean luc said...

Wishing you a happy valentines day, but i know you send love every day. A nice story for a special day.
All your words are love !
Kiss kiss and see you soon

Bossy Betty said...

What did you think of the way this relationship was portrayed in The King's Speech?

Happy Valentine's Day to you!

Anonymous said...

Ah yes - this really is the only way to love, isn't it?

bright star said...

Happy Valentines Day Lovely Zuzana!
I like a good love story but I am glad that this particular pair never came to the throne of England.I feel that they were in Hitlers plans! She was a notorious woman and had many lovers,he was a bit of a playboy however I do believe ther was mutual love there. One of the love stories I find fascinating is the story told by Gabriel Garcia marquez in Love in the Time of Cholera. lol Angela

tony said...

Yorkshire Greetings On Valentine's Day X

D said...

Zuzana, that is a true love story. We seldom go to a movie theatre but decided to do so yesterday and saw The King's Speech, an excellent film. And of course Edward and Mrs. Simpson were a part of that.

I hope your day is filled with love.

A Lady's Life said...

It is indeed beautiful when one can keep romance in your life especially in your marriage ,MY husband always sends me notes and poems and I yell at him in return to show him I care lol
I mean if I didn't care, why would I bother lol
But life goes on and we live and hug and kiss and sleep holding hands.
Nothing better than to have someone special in your life to grow old with. I am happy.
:)

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Hugs and ♥'s...
On Valentine Day!

sprinkles said...

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm not a big fan of Valentine's day because I'm always alone. I've had boyfriends but we always seemed to break up just before the big day or one time, the guy was sick.

I wish I believed in everlasting romantic love but I've only felt fleeting moments of love so I don't know if I even really believe in it anymore.

With that said, I do hope you have a wonderfully happy Valentine's Day!

Unknown said...

A beautifully written post on Love, Zuzana! It is a precious gift. Lots of Love to You on Valentines Day! xoxo ; )

Unknown said...

I am a romantic at heart and loved this story. it is interesting how some will give up everything for someone and others will not give an inch. who do you think is happier?

Laura said...

such a beautiful Love story...and yes love is very much about vulnerability...and courage...all of what you have said Zuzana...all forms of love require us to be vulnerable and to love with our whole heart...true courage!

a beautiful post my friend!

Joyti said...

The story of King Edward is so romantic, isn't it? And perfect for Valentine's Day. Hope you have a lovely V-Day!

SandyCarlson said...

I knew this story only around the edges. Thanks for the detail. It's thrilling when romantic love prevails.

steviewren said...

"It is better to have loved and lost than never have loved at all"....or something that goes something like that. Even though my marriage didn't endure, I'm happy to have had the experience.

adrielleroyale said...

Ah love, it really does conquer all when it is held by two agreeing forces :) It is one of my favorite subjects to write about too :) Hope your Valentine's Day was beautiful and filled with love everlasting and full of passion!

Rajesh said...

Wonderful post. Wish you Happy Valentines day.

Anonymous said...

Queen Elizabeth, our present Queen's mother, never forgave them because the abdication forced her husband to take the throne and the responsibility was almost too much for him; she believed it led to his early death (nothing to do with all the cigarettes he smoked, of course). I'm off to see The King's Speech myself this week.

Mahmud Yussop said...

Nice post. Sometimes when my wife without notice ask me " Do you love me?" I have now a pretty good answer I know has worked well. Take a deep breath, a second and two and then answer her " More than love. You are my everything !!".We have survived many ups and downs in our 33 years of marriage and love has been the magic potion that kept us going. Finding true love is indeed a heavenly gift. Love and hugs to you from us both.

Calli said...

Such beautiful writing, Zuzana and I share your sentiments...absolutely! That is the very reason we are here...is to LOVE and be loved and their is nothing more wonderful or vital than that.

Such an amazing story and so many exist in history that truly testify to love and it's significance and sometimes, though sacrifice is necessary though in this case, unfortunately the reasons were sadly governed by the church of England and that was such a shame.

~Calli xxoo

Unknown said...

That one is a true love story. Can you imagine, abdicating the throne?

Anonymous said...

So sorry Zuzana, I forgot to type in my name before posting that comment about Queen Elizabeth. I was taking my first coffee and cigarette of the day and still half asleep I think.

Maude Lynn said...

What a gorgeous and romantic post!

Anonymous said...

To give up a kingdom for love...very powerful. We saw the movie "King's Speech" and the love story of Edward & Wallis was touched on very briefly in the movie. He was so devoted to her.

Anonymous said...

Now to give up a throne for a woman, that's true love and no mistake.
Temporary insanity - true but it does result in some pretty fantastic poetry. lol

A Plain Observer said...

If there is one thing I have regretted in me about love has been the fear that made me move forward sooner. The overly cautious nature that tried to protected me from getting hurt never succeeded. But I'd rather get hurt loving than hurt because I didn't get to love.
What a beautiful post, Zuzana

Anonymous said...

Nice post, love is the answer, the only answer.

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

Aaaah, such a romantic story. I've SUCH RESPECT for those that will give up MUCH for those they love.

Zuzana said...

Elizabeth, Elisabeth, Sandy, Brian, Ann, Susan, Colleen, Di, Donna, Claudia, Julie, Myrna, Kath, jean luc, Betty, ladyfi, Angela, tony, Diana, Lady, Amelia, sprinkles, Michael, Doreen, Laura, Indie.Tea (welcome), Sandy, Stevie, adrielle, Rajesh, eton (welcome), Mahmood, Calli, Jane, Mama Zen, LadyCat, Richard, Myriam, toemail and Jill – it was so delightful to see that so many of you enjoyed this love story, which defined the past century, when it comes to Romance.

I believe that love is all we really need and if the world loved a little bit more and hated less, it would make for a much better reality to so many.
Judging from your kind words, you all seem to agree that this emotion is as essential in our lives as the air that we breathe.

I guess Edward did cause some havoc in the royal business, but this post focuses on the love between him and Wallis and not about the rest of the royal family or the effect his abdication had on them, nor the faith of the monarchy. Everything we do, all our actions, have consequences and everything that is ultimately worth our while comes to a cost - it is up to us to decide what sacrifices we are willing to make and which choices we are willing to live with.
Only we can choose our battles.

Thank you all as always for your beautiful and substantial comments and endless visits – LOVE YOU all!;)

Xoxo
Zuzana