On March 7th, 1986 a movie was released. I missed it at first. My parents (wise souls) actually bullied me into watching it (I was in college at this point and apparently knew EVERYTHING). That movie is The Highlander. It’s the story of Connor MacLeod who is a Scottish Highlander. He doesn’t know that he’s immortal, it takes dying for him to find that out. Well, and the tutoring of one Juan Ramirez (played by Sean Connery). He also loses a beloved wife, his “Bonnie Heather,” as he outlives her. To his credit and all our shared heartbreak, he never leaves her as he stays young and she ages because as he says at her deathbed, he still loves her as much as the first time that he saw her. Wow, even now, as many times as I’ve watched that scene and listened to Queen’s epic masterpiece Who Wants to Live Forever it makes me catch my breath.
The song I’ve chosen to honor this film is one that we played at our wedding. I remember tearing up that day. Marriage had never been in my plan. In fact, I had actively planned against marriage and children. Meeting my ex-husband and loving him changed my mind. Next came our home and a dog and the natural next step in loving someone that much for me was to have children. I have a son and two daughters. They are three of the most amazing and kind, funny and intelligent people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. No regrets. That said, I did cry at my wedding, at this song One Year of Love written by bassist John Deacon (he didn’t do a lot of their writing, he is also the writer of Another One Bites the Dust)…I wonder if I knew on some level how it might go?
And it’s true, just one year of love is better than a lifetime alone. No regrets, just memories.
Is better than a lifetime alone
One sentimental moment in your arms
Is like a shooting star right through my heart
It’s always a rainy day without you
I’m a prisoner of love inside you
I’m falling apart all around you, yeah
I’m lonely, but you can save me
My hand reaches out for your hand
I’m cold, but you light the fire in me
My lips search for your lips
I’m hungry for your touch
There’s so much left unspoken
And all I can do is surrender to the moment, just surrender
That love would hurt so much (ooh, yes, it hurts)
And pain is so close to pleasure
And all I can do is surrender (ooh)
To your love (ooh, just surrender to your love)
Is better than a lifetime alone
One sentimental moment in your arms
Is like a shooting star right through my heart
It’s always a rainy day without you
I’m a prisoner of love inside you
I’m falling apart, all around you
And all I can do is surrender
