BEYOND THE BYLINE: On Valentine’s Day and every day, all you need is love

WILKES-BARRE — The Beatles sang “All you need is love,” and nothing could be truer.

We all need love, and the good thing about love is that it comes in many different ways and from many different sources.

Again, as The Beatles sang, “Love is all around.”

That being said, as Valentine’s Day once again approaches, I will repeat that it’s not one of my favorite observations.

I am on record as stating that I sincerely believe in love — I just have never been able to find the long-term kind that I so very much admire and respect and have longed for throughout my time on earth.

And I will readily admit that I am to blame for most of my failures of the heart.

I believe I have sincerely loved and have been loved back. I’m not looking for answers or reasons or blame here. I just want to say that Valentine’s Day, for most, is a wonderful day to celebrate the love of one’s life and to shower them with gifts and actions that reinforce that love for one another.

I just feel that celebration should be replicated 24/7, 365 — it should be present always and all-ways.

That’s why people who are in love and who have their life partners at their side should cherish the opportunity to celebrate and continue to do all they can to perpetuate the love they share. You are the lucky ones. You are blessed.

But for people like me, Valentine’s Day is a time when I find myself thinking about my near misses in matters of the heart. There are many reasons for my less-than-successful search for a Valentine — immaturity, stupidity, the inability to appreciate, misguided priorities, immaturity — yes, that was worth mentioning twice.

All that said, there have been some good moments, albeit fewer than what could have been. And I suppose, at this stage in my life, I am living with the consequences of having sailed through a romantic sea not well navigated, facing loneliness on a daily/nightly basis, and the distinct prospect of leaving this life alone.

And that can cause severe emotional malaise.

But as I find some odd happiness in observing all those happy couples out there — people who have found their soul mates and who appreciate the goodness of all that a healthy relationship offers — I have little memories I can share of such moments.

My mom used to say there’s a lid for every pot— meaning that there’s someone out there for everybody. But for me, it’s an unproven theory. Not that I’m a prize or anything, but maybe, just maybe, somebody exists that I could co-exist with — maybe. This person, most likely, resides halfway around the world, speaks another language, and is not waiting for me to show up.

But for now, I will wallow in my lonely world — but don’t feel sorry for me. I’m OK, really. Wink, wink.

And for you lucky ones out there, well, please appreciate the mate you have.

• Be a Valentine every day.

• Send flowers on a day when they would be least expected.

• Open their car door.

• Cook their favorite meal.

• Hold hands.

• Enjoy your time together and appreciate the need to spend time apart.

• Say “I love you” and mean it.

I am not one to venture into the world of computer dating, but I have toyed with the idea of writing my pitch to that medium in the hope that “the lid to my pot” would magically stumble upon it and be impressed.

Here is what I came up with:

“Burned out former hippie freak who has survived Woodstock, The Beatles, the Sixties, disco, the Jersey shore, the Agnes Flood, and singles bars; likes quieter times with good food, great music and genuine friendships; had a cat, still has a job and an authentic compassion for human beings; not afraid to value faith and always eager to face every day with sincerity and blatant truth.”

The phone should be ringing off the hook, don’t you think? And I wonder why it hasn’t. LOL

Truth is I actually have lived a very interesting and rewarding life and I can share many interesting stories — sometimes at the risk of not knowing when to stop talking.

But what I do know is that I now know much more than I ever knew before. I have learned over the years the intrinsic value of trust and maturity.

Time to take a ride, listen to some music, and hope that my favorite Bruce Springsteen song “Jersey Girl” comes on my radio.

“’Cause down the shore everything’s alright,” Springsteen sings.

So is everything in Wyoming Valley.

Especially with your Valentine at your side.