As always, I’m late for this week’s Sepia Saturday but how could I resist this topic?
Many decades ago, when I was first at uni and met Mr Cassmob, we both had a “thing” for Rodin’s sculpture “The Kiss”. The sculpture, in various modes, has been reproduced many times and I think the first time we saw it was the Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen over 40 years ago.
For some reason, which now seems quite strange, we were also enamoured by a movie called “Elvira Madigan”. It was something of a Romeo and Juliet movie – bitter-sweet – but I think it was the country and the music that drew us in. So much so, that we used the theme music, Mozart’s 21st, as my wedding entry music – thereby reducing my mother-in-law to rare tears.
I have no recollection of the priest at our wedding ceremony telling Mr Cassmob he could “kiss the bride” and he may not have given how strict he was about everything else. However we have a lovely pre-departure professional photo which I’m not planning to share with you 😉 This one, taken just as we left the church, is one of my absolute favourites for the day.
More recently we visited the Rodin Museum in Paris and saw a range of Rodin’s sculptures including “The Kiss”. It is such an evocative art work and captures the physicality of a passionate kiss. Of course there were so many other examples of Rodin’s artistry and we spent an amazing time there.
In this year of coronavirus quarantine, I think the absence of kisses and hugs from friends has made us truly aware of how important this physical communication is to each of us. A kiss, and perhaps even more, a hug, offer affection as well as physical and emotional connection.
From somewhere in my memory I dredged this image of a familial kiss of affection taken 40 years ago. Even more amazing, I found it to share!
I’ll leave you with a poem that reflects the ways in which human love transcends a kiss. This was shared by my friend Cathie of Ancestor Discovery at GSQ’s Irish seminar on Saturday and managed to reduced the listeners to silent heartache…”Of the toxins of a whole history“. Please do visit the link – but perhaps find a hanky first.
Thanks Cathie, for bringing this evocative poem to my awareness.
After you’ve dried your tears why not head back to Sepia Saturday to see how other’s kisses turned out.
Family history across the seas 
Love that photo of you two…
Couldn’t agree more. We all need physical communication… the hardest part of dealing with this pandemic is not being able to hug family and friends, or even meet as we used to.
We’ll have a lot of catching up to do when we can…
LikeLike
We sure will Chris…with great big hugs!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear cassmob, thank you for this lovely story covering more than 50 years, and for the beautiful photos of two of my favourite people. And lord, we weren’t just young, we were skinny!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Special memories.
LikeLike
As usual your posts don’t disappoint. I have a confession to make – I have lurked here reading your terrific posts for years as I have Clare ancestors too. Thank you too for sharing the wonderful poem by Eavan Boland. I’m glad you and others found it to be as sad and touching as I did.
LikeLike
Oh no, a lurker 😉 I’m very pleased to hear that you’ve enjoyed the posts over time Cathie. In this context the poem spoke to me of how love reveals itself in very practical, and ultimately tragic, ways.
LikeLike
Awe! Such a great post. Love your wedding day photo. Young love is the.best! You look so happy – what a treasured capture.
LikeLike
Thanks..one of my fave photos, as is the cutie and her dad.
LikeLike
The statue of the kiss is lovely, but the “family kiss” is the best! 🙂
LikeLike
I thought so too …so cute.
LikeLike
Wonderful memories – lovely photos – and yes we were all skinny – and gorgeous in our youth….
LikeLike
But of course Roz!
LikeLike
Great story. Seeing The Kiss and The Thinker at Rodin’s house museum was such a thrilling moment for me. Fabulous place. I always tell people to add that to the places to visit in Paris along with Sainte Chapelle.
LikeLike
Absolutely agree Anne. We visited Ste Chapelle for the first time on our last visit some years back and it was gorgeous.
LikeLike
Lovely photos. Such a beautiful bride. And what a moving poem. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike