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January 06, 2010
Karen's Radar
Organizing one of our closets, like Schliemann excavating Troy, Karen makes a major discovery.
“Hey, did you know that we have our graduation autograph books from eighth grade?”
Karen and I attended Yeshiva of Flatbush elementary school together.
I fell in love with Karen when we were in third grade.
In 1964, we were on our way to high school. Karen attended Yeshiva of Flatbush H.S., and I was exiled to Brooklyn Talmudical Academy, a school for malcontents and losers. I fit in perfectly.
Karen flips through my book.
“Hey, you really took this seriously. You got everyone to sign your book.”
Even then I was an obsessive compulsive. If there's an empty page, I need to fill it with words.
Karen says: “I was like, okay I'll get a few signatures. Didn't take it too seriously.”
I'm thinking: That's because you were the prettiest, smartest, most popular girl in school. You didn't need validation.
Flipping through my book, Karen reads some of the inscriptions:
Open the gate, Close the Gate, How the Heck did you graduate?
Remember A, Remember B, But C that U Remember Me!
May your life be like Italian Bread, long and full of dough.
Karen makes a further discovery: “Hey, you know who didn't sign your book?”
“Who?”
“Me.”
“Well, yeah. I was so in love with you I didn't dare ask.”
Karen frowns. Even now, after 32 years of marriage, she finds my endless love incomprehensible.
“Karen, did you ever think of asking me to sign your book?”
I don't know why I bother asking, I mean I wasn't even on Karen's radar.
Karen goes: “Robert, you weren't even on my radar.”
Okay, I asked for that.
But how come now—even now—I have to bite my lip and hold myself back from saying: But am I on your radar now?
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at January 6, 2010 08:27 AM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
But how come now—even now—I have to bite my lip and hold myself back from saying: But am I on your radar now?
No. Really?
Posted by: kishke at January 6, 2010 10:58 AM
Kishke:
Alas, yes. Completely irrational, but there you go. In my mind, I'm still that helpless and hopeless little kid.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at January 6, 2010 11:11 AM
Robert - after 32 years...... ;-)
One thing I found interesting was going to a couple of HS reunions - haven't been to one in over 10 years but what surprised me was that many of the "plodders" (like me) keep plodding while some of the shining stars - burned out.
Never will forget one guy - always straight A's - he lived down the street from me - thought he would have become a nuclear physicist.
I learned that he jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge.
Posted by: Bill Brandt at January 6, 2010 11:18 AM
But has she signed it NOW?
Posted by: alterbentzion at January 6, 2010 12:34 PM
But at least she signed the ketubah, right? Worth much more than an eighth grade autograph book!
Posted by: Pearl at January 6, 2010 01:01 PM
awwww....
you got the girl!!
apparently, the magic is still so fresh, that you still don't believe it's real!
Posted by: RivkA at January 6, 2010 02:48 PM
But how come now—even now—I have to bite my lip and hold myself back from saying: But am I on your radar now?
Short answer: No.
Somewhat fuller answer: since radar functions by radiating a radio wave out from a central point, it can never detect that which it is attached to. Such being so, better you never appear on her radar, eh?
:)
Posted by: Will Brown at January 6, 2010 05:20 PM
I think you're on my radar. I'm across the country this week and I've called you about every two hours.
Posted by: Karen Avrech at January 6, 2010 05:32 PM
Bill:
The basketball star of our H.S. team—he had the most elegant jump shot I've ever seen—died of a drug overdose in college.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at January 6, 2010 06:30 PM
Alter:
I was too embarrassed to ask Karen to sign it now.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at January 6, 2010 06:31 PM
Pearl:
Good one:-)
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at January 6, 2010 06:32 PM
Rivka:
You're absolutely right, still can't believe Karen married me.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at January 6, 2010 06:33 PM
Will:
Okay, I feel soooo much better:-)
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at January 6, 2010 06:34 PM
Karen:
Yeah, but if I was really on your radar you'd call every hour.
Just kidding.
Sorta.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at January 6, 2010 06:37 PM
In my mind, I'm still that helpless and hopeless little kid.
Well, it's awfully brave of you to say so in public.
Posted by: kishke at January 6, 2010 09:33 PM
When did it become mutual?
My parents first dated before he went to the navy, when she was too young, and then worlds later they got back together and married.
Posted by: Batya at January 7, 2010 12:14 AM
You're going to have to stop this Robert, You are making the rest of us men look rather inadequate.
Posted by: Ted at January 7, 2010 05:16 AM
Batya:
When did it become mutual?
My series, How I Married Karen documents every twist and turn in our relationship.
Here's the link.
http://www.seraphicpress.com/archives/how_i_married_karen/
Scroll to the bottom and start with chapter 1. By the time you reach Chapter 40, you'll have your answer.
Enjoy!
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at January 7, 2010 08:29 AM
One of the sweetest love scenes I have ever seen was the one in "The Fiddler on the Roof," when Tevye asks Golde if she loves him. This post reminds me of that.
Posted by: christina at January 8, 2010 07:47 AM
Perhaps what you are saying is that you don't take Karen for granted. Wise words.
Posted by: Jacob at January 17, 2010 07:48 AM