Monday, January 16, 2017
A TRIBUTE TO MY HUSBAND
“Some enchanted evening,” in the words of Oscar Hammerstein, “you may see a stranger . . . across a crowded room.” Entering my friend’s apartment to attend a party, on the other side of the room was positively the most handsome man I had ever seen. When we were introduced, “Emilie, I’d like you to meet Majid . . .”, I must have been blushing like mad. I tried to maintain my cool, while inside I was shaken, thinking to myself that there was no way I could seem attractive to such a man.
We scarcely spoke during the rest of the party, partly because of my natural shyness, partly because of the (largely female) crowd that surrounded Majid as he sat on the floor telling stories to his enthralled audience. I kept sneaking peeks, wishing I had the nerve to join his admirers.
The next day Majid and I encountered each other in a local student hangout, and he invited me to join him for coffee. We talked for over an hour, drawing annoyed glances from those waiting for a table. I could not believe it when he then invited me for dinner and a movie the following evening.
We got married a few months later. Thus began our lifelong love. It was my good fortune that Majid’s charisma and good looks were more than matched by his sense of humor, intelligence, gentleness, generosity, and a host of other positive attributes. This past September marked our 56th anniversary. Sometimes it seems our relationship has lasted forever, sometimes it seems it began just yesterday.
“Who can explain it,
Who can tell you why?
Fools give you reasons,
Wise men never try.
“Some enchanted evening,
When you find your true love . . .
Never let [him] go.”
Words cannot express the pain of parting from the love of my life, but the love, support, and generosity of wonderful family and friends have given me strength. Thank you all.
