Der Anfang

In 1982 I was asked to play for a wedding of two guys at the Metropolitan Community Church of Kansas City, Mo. The two participants were head bartender and owner of one of the most popular bars in that city. At that time in history such an occasion was on oddity . . . I had been special organist to the Bishop of the Kansas City/St. Joseph Missouri diocese for years, and had been the organist for, what was then called, Park College in Parkville, Missouri.

Nevertheless, I accepted the invitation and played the service. It was in August of that year. There was NO air-conditioning. The sanctuary was packed. This was a huge social event in Kansas City's gay society. Afterwards, we retired to the basement where the reception was to be held. People brought in lots of food and appetizers, etc. Sadly, no beverages . . . adult or otherwise. There was one lone water fountain, unchilled, that sat in the hall with a stream that paled in comparison to the stream one would expect from a race horse.

As I entered the hall, there, in the center of the room, stood the most handsome man I had ever seen. He was Tom Selleck's twin. Buff, tall, perfect mustache. As I passed him, I said: "My kingdom for a beer". He replied: "Amen."

I moved on to the back of the room where there stood 3 of my roommates. I asked one of them who that person was that I spoke to. He said: "Oh, that's Doug. Why?" I replied: "Well, that's who I am going to spend the rest of my life with." That roommate looked at me and said, " You're nuts."

Several weeks later, our house (there were 4 of us living in a big Victorian house) had a reception for the newly weds. Without my knowledge, Doug was invited AND, in front of the two of us, the roommate told both of us that a room was ready for us upstairs.

Doug fled. I was mortified.

Sometime later, I went into a local pub and there was Himself. Literally, "across a Crowded Room". Home we went and we've been together, Lo, these 25 years.

So, I'm posting this as a personal sentiment to Us. And: to all of you. Love is a wonderful thing. It happens in the most unusual places and between the most unusual participants. It, nevertheless, is Love. Cherish the person you're with, cherish your "Moment" , and for Heaven's sake, cherish the Beauty that has been, and continues to be created between the two of you.

Doug: Thank you for 25 years of wonderfulness; of making me part of your wonderful family; of accepting me for what I am - with all my faults - and for allowing me to share your life with
you these 25 years.

Happy Anniversary! Let's have 25 more.

This, from Land of Smiles, by F. Lehar: (right click new tab to listen and read along)

Dein ist mein ganzes Herz!
Wo du nicht bist, kann ich nicht sein.
So, wie die Blume welkt,
wenn sie nicht küsst der Sonnenschein!
Dein ist mein schönstes Lied,
weil es allein aus der Liebe erblüht.
Sag mir noch einmal, mein einzig Lieb,
oh sag noch einmal mir:
Ich hab dich lieb!

Wohin ich immer gehe,
ich fühle deine Nähe.
Ich möchte deinen Atem trinken
und betend dir zu Füssen sinken,
dir, dir allein! Wie wunderbar
ist dein leuchtendes Haar!
Traumschön und sehnsuchtsbang
ist dein strahlender Blick.
Hör ich der Stimme Klang,
ist es so wie Musik.

(You are my only heart!
I cannot be without you.
Like a flower that wilts
when unkissed by the sun!
My most beautiful song is yours,
for it is created out of love.
Tell me once more, my one and only,
oh tell me once more:
I have your love!

Wherever I am
I feel you are near.
I want to drink your breath
and kneel adoringly at your feet,
yours, yours alone! How wonderful
is your shining hair!
Dreamy and full of longing
is your radiant gaze.
Your voice is
music to my ears.)