"Love is a many splintered thing"

Another anecdote for the title before I continue onto the meat of this post....

My first real job was as a cook in a restaurant in Millington, Tennessee. Mama Lanni's. The owner of the establishment was Pat and he was quirky to say the least (quirky, i.e. drunk). He liked to sing but his songs were usually bitter renditions of real melodies. And they were never full songs, just a line from the chorus.

His children worked at different times in the restaurant. His ex-wife came by often enough that we knew her; and usually following her visits Pat would sing...."Love is a many splintered thing" instead of the correct "love is a many-splendored thing" from the movie of the same name.

It was funny then. It was sad then. But at eighteen and not really knowing love completely, it was not as apropros as it is now.

Next on my list, is having been in love or is still in love....but, of course.

I love my child. Without definition, I love this person so very much. She is what I believe God/Goddess looks like. In her good and in her bad, she is life and hope and determination. She is and I'm extremely glad she is.

But, I'm sure that's not what was implied by the list. I was in love with Fred for a very long time. First love, no matter how disillusioned is still love.

I still love Angus. God help me, but I do. I think I've accepted that he's gone. My heart bleeds a bit realizing that but if he's happy, I can't argue. sigh.....

I love my Hristos. He is probably the second person I've met that I felt is a soul mate. Whatever lives we've been through together, they helped us become great friends. Sadly, I haven't been a good friend with the lack of communication from me. I miss him.

I have another man I've been in love with for a long time. I don't wish to discuss it because I did once, a  proclamation to him, and it changed the course of our relationship. A mistake I still wish I could forget.

So yes....been in love....still in love. And love is very splintery.

Comments

[Naomi]

Hey Joshua! I still have one of my cups too. Unfortunately, Mama Lanni's exists no more. :-( We did have the greatest food. I crave it so often.

Most of the time we were friendly but when you worked with a lot of woman, we tended to get moody. Hopefully not with the customers. Just each other.

Damn, I'm hungry for Mama Lanni's now. Gonna have to make some pasta salad.

[Joshua Self]

I was just searching for my old hangout when I was in Navy "A" School in Millington in 1993ish(?) called Mama Lanni's and your post popped up. I still have a giant to-go cup from Mama Lanni's that I use to this day. Great Pizza and subs! I remember everyone there was very friendly... Maybe it was you!? ;-)