The Sweetest Kiss

So much good stuff going on lately…so many posts to catch up on!

I wanted to start here…

A couple of weeks ago, we invited a prominent scholar in Art History to give a presentation as part of my campus’ spring lecture series in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender studies.

His presentation focused on the postmodern turn in American art, looking specifically at sexuality and assemblage in relationship to Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg, among others.

One thing that struck me about this event, however, occurred just before he began his presentation. (Not that I didn’t find the presentation itself interesting.)

The faculty member that was introducing our invited speaker had known him more than a decade, the two having crossed paths in California some time ago. In any case, as with any academic presentation introduction, a list of the speaker’s accomplishments and awards was shared with the audience. This introduction, however, had an added layer of poignancy to it because of the history between the two men. Upon the conclusion of the introduction, the speaker acknowledged just how wonderful the introduction he received was, and offered his sincere thanks to his friend. Then, as he moved to assume his position behind the podium to begin his presentation, the two men’s paths crossed once again, and in that brief moment shared a quick kiss.

It was the sweetest kiss I’d seen in a long time.

Before my eyes I saw embodied in their kiss a deep friendship, forged by a long shared history, filled with care, affection, and respect.

Just absolutely touching.