Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Absence Makes The Heart Glow Flounder

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder" is a phrase we probably all use occasionally when it applies to a separation of beings that love each other. Typically it's applied to loving couples but can also apply to animals or more and more every day to people and animals.

"Absence makes the heart glow flounder" is a phrase that tends to apply to couples whose love for each other may not be so strong. We can all think of situations where folks are separated for various reasons for relatively short periods of time thus providing freedom not available in regular life.

These phrases can also apply to general activities or items we enjoy, especially sports and sports teams. We grew up as fans of the local sports team, maybe the Baltimore Orioles and for the past 30 years have lived in Cleveland and are now devoted fans of the Indians. We still have fond memories of the Orioles, but not the love that previously existed. Same goes for our possessions, like automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, etc.

I have only myself to look at. I grew up as a Cleveland Indians fan, probably because of the exceptional year they had in 1954, with 111 wins and only 43 losses. They didn't win the World Series, losing in 4 to the NY Giants, but they were my team. I was also a fan of the winning Cleveland Browns.

I grew up here in the Big Town of Savage, but the Washington/Baltimore area had no winning sports franchises in the early 50s, so I gravitated to other winning teams. As kids we all gravitate to winners. I still have fond memories of the '50s Indians and Browns, but in this case absence has made the "heart glow flounder" rather than making the heart grow fonder.

JD, now a NASCAR fan here in the BToS...

PS - Found the image on another blog, click image to visit.
PPS - In contrast, I find that with Dale Earnhardt, the 10 years since his death has caused absence to make my heart grow fonder.

1 comment:

Susan Spencer said...

VERY well written post. And my brother Roger is right there with you on missing Dale.