Tyan's Photoblog
Love at 70?
Posted by tyan (Singapore, Singapore) on 18 March 2008 in People & Portrait.
Tyan’s hubby guest appearance:
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Going to my father-in-law’s 70th birthday dinner brought back a lot of emotional feelings for my wife today and got me thinking about a lot of stuff.
I just realized it is very difficult to love someone genuinely. Our love could be motivated by selfish reasons or even when it is pure, hardly long-lasting.
Sometimes a father can put his honour and pride before his daughter. Sometimes a husband can put his own needs before his wife’s. Sometimes a mother can love her kids conditionally. Sometimes a son may love his dad out of obligation. Sometimes we love other people for show. So complicated, all on display today. Where is real, unadulterated love? Love without pretension and with no ulterior or selfish motives, and with no strings attached?
It’s really funny how we look at the world today and see how everyone dresses sophisticatedly, eats at the best restaurants, flash the latest gizmos, engage in really intellectual debates about the economy, politics and we all marvel at how society has progressed. And yet in the background, incessantly all the radio songs talk about how much love we need and hope to give. And love songs have been at it forever!! Apparently all the progress in society has not addressed all the deepest longings of our hearts.
I wish to dedicate this post to my wife and two boys. For my wife, I pray God would slowly heal her of all her emotional scars of not having known love early on. I pray when we reach seventy, we would just sit with each other, with a roof over our heads and to be in dry clothes and to have a hot chocolate in hand, talking to each other and reflecting how we have spent our lives trying to love others genuinely. For my two boys, I pray they would grow up knowing that God and their parents would love them no matter how they turn out and they would learn to love others genuinely as well. May God teach us.
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
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Michael Skorulski from Cigel, Slovakia
A fantastically happy photo and a wonderful commentary. What could be better!
18 Mar 2008 5:39am
Nishana Minhaz from Calicut, India
i love this picture! it radiates such a lot of happiness.. Ian looks the happiest, pulling away at his mom's hair :) great write-up too, i see that both of u have a way with words..
18 Mar 2008 6:43am
Mandy Provan from Johannesburg, South Africa
This is a wonderful portrait of you and your boys Ty!!!! ANd what a lovely sentiment from your hubby!! I couldn't agree more with what he said! You are a very lucky lady to have a husband that truly loves you genuinely, my dear!! :)
18 Mar 2008 6:48am
ManuelaR from Hainburg, Germany
This is such an amazing touching dedication...
Wonderful happy take, you all look truly happy ;)
18 Mar 2008 8:50am
Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States
Such an amazingly simple photo, yet communicative of love and joy as well as the daily stresses of being a parent (juggling kids on your back and kneeling with them at your feet). And such profoundly deep, insightful words. I would truly love to be able to sit down with you both, and hold many good conversations as this. Bravo Tyan and Hubby.
18 Mar 2008 11:19am
Man With 101 Names from Hamburg, United States
This is a great family shot , you are a beautiful woman Ty and your children are so cute :o)
18 Mar 2008 12:23pm
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
There, right there, it IS....and just when I think Love does not stay...Beautiful photo, and a special, very-needed message, I'm so glad Tyan and the boys have you :)
18 Mar 2008 12:45pm
Rabbit from Richmond, United States
wow - you look so young!!! i thought the sweet little girl in the picture was going to be a cousin and now i realize thats YOU!!!! Cheers to such a big smile and heart warming photo capture!
18 Mar 2008 2:02pm
Chris from South Jersey, United States
Great photo - full of spontaneous love. And your comments are perfect - if only we could learn to love as much as God loves us.....
18 Mar 2008 5:23pm
Ronnie 2¢ from London, United Kingdom
A charmingly honest image and profound words in support. Emotions are complex but all the more rewarding when mastered.
18 Mar 2008 7:59pm
Rebecca from Leicester, United Kingdom
Wonderful gorgeous portrait and really a perfect dedication. Dear Tyan and Law, you are both so blessed to have each other, and your children are so very blessed that you are their parents.
18 Mar 2008 11:41pm
Ras from Plano, United States
Good observation on how humanity has excelled but regressed in Love and what is truly fulfilling.
19 Mar 2008 12:40am
Joan from Singapore
I am so touched by what your hb wrote. I wonder what my hb thinks or will he post such thoughts...heehee...You have such a loving hb...I am sure u haf all the support u need to go on..
19 Mar 2008 2:35am
Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States
Dear Tyan & Hub ... this is beautiful. I'm sorry I missed it yesterday, but happy I came now.
"Love at 70" caught me right between the eyes, as I celebrated that same number last month.
In my experience love grows stronger with each passing year and my prayer for you both, is that with your caring and genuine love for each other and your boys, you will have your prayers answered. You will surely, "sit with each other, with a roof over our heads and to be in dry clothes and to have a hot chocolate in hand, talking to each other and reflecting how we have spent our lives trying to love others genuinely. For my two boys, I pray they would grow up knowing that God and their parents would love them no matter how they turn out and they would learn to love others genuinely as well. May God teach us."
God is your teacher and he will be with you on your journey.
Easter blessings to all of you, Judy
19 Mar 2008 8:23am
gertie from Israel
very beautifully written.. i wish to add that the best love to imitate is that agape love that God has for us. yes indeed, He died for us and tht's because of His unconditional love for us. the love that transcendes all boundaries and differences. God is love and love is God..
19 Mar 2008 3:25pm
Porcsin from Debrecen, Hungary
Nice and funny shot!
The moment what is with you in your whole life!
20 Mar 2008 8:09pm
Canon IXUS 40
1/60 second
F/2.8
6 mm