CommentarySad - Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, are separating after 40 years of marriage
Pic via (http://bit.ly/cNCwG0 )For some reason, I find myself deeply saddened after reading this story of Al and Tipper Gore's separation, which comes after 40 years of marriage.
Maybe their story saddens me for the obvious reason: any separation is sad, but one coming after 40 years seems devastating. Heartbreaking, even. Of course, I have no idea what's really going on with them. That story included all the quotes I'd expect, which wasn't much. They might be just fine with one another, but I doubt it. Maybe they think they are, but they've been married for a lifetime. One doesn't easily adapt to such a dramatic transition.
But I think I may be saddened also by what the previous 40 years have meant. Or at least, the past 10. The couple famously shared a long kiss during the 2000 Democratic presidential convention. And, to quote that story,
The image of their warm relationship stood in sharp contrast to the Clinton marriage rocked by Bill Clinton's affair with White House internMonica Lewinsky, a scandal that hung over Gore's own presidential campaign.
Al Gore at the time said his wife was "someone I've loved with my whole heart since the night of my high school senior prom."
I am sad because I wonder how genuine their love was the past decade or so. No relationship can survive on emotions of a prom night. Were they faking their way through it? Were they putting on an act? Not even for us, the public--what if they faked it for themselves?
All this is speculation, of course. I truly hope they can find a way to turn this around, but odds are, if they are going public with this information, that ship's sunk. I wish them the best, and honestly hope that they at least find peace in their new life. Just as marriage does not solve all one's problem, nor does ending one.
Reader Comments (4)
Found your blog through a comment on Ebert's blog. Although I do agree with your thoughts on the Internet, I sure do love how these things happen.
Excellent website, and I'm looking forward to reading more.
Thanks Julie. Always glad to meet new people. Glad you like it here, look forward to having you around.
So true, so true. It really is a sad story. My husband and I have been separated three times and have worked really hard at marital restoration. A firm spiritual foundation has gotten us this far. I pray that they both find that.
Wow, that's intense, Nicole. Keep working hard. Thanks for sharing.