Addicted To Love

Try this and amaze yourself: take a piece of paper…

Like many famous people, I’m a glutton for love. My mother adored me and of course I’ll never know any other love like it – she still lives with my family, in her own apartment at the side of our home. But my father was often distant, preferring to carouse with girlfriends instead of giving love to us.

I consciously tried to make up for this with my own two youngsters, and as any parent knows the love that floods from children is limitless and unconditional. My wonderful wife is just as demonstrative in her affection. But am I sated? Of course not – I need more and more love. Like Robert Palmer, I’m addicted to love. My close friend Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, who also had a heart-breakingly difficult relationship with his father, has often told me of the agonising moments of loneliness that afflict him. Yet he has an adoring wife and seven children.

To receive love, we have to give it. I’ve learned that the only sure cure for loneliness is to open up my heart and to thrus out bundles of love like a millionaire gambler flinging around £50 notes on Gold Cup day. I hug my children as soon as I see them. I tell my friends at the end of phone calls, “I love you.” I call people when I haven’t seen them for a day or two, and I make no excuses: “I just wanted to hear your voice,” I tell them. “I love you.” And you know … the only thing that feels better than being loved is to love other people !