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Mel
Gibson Take on What Love Means Published
in Parade Magazine In 1978, Mel Gibson joined the State Theatre Company of South Australia. He lived in a communal house in Adelaide, where he met Robyn Moore. "All of us did our share of house keeping to keep the house running." Mel Gibson called. "I was happy there. Robyn worked as a dental nurse. She had a boyfriend." They developed a friendship, and over time it grew into love. They were married in 1980, after a two year courtship. "She's an exceptional woman," Gibson said. "It would be very, very difficult to ever find anyone like her anywhere ever again. That's not to say we haven't had our ups and downs. There's been some real dingdongs, like, ' I'm outta here,' ya know? 'See ya later. Bye!' That whole thing happens in a marriage. It's just too easy to throw in the towel when there are bad days, but if you can just hang on through the grim times, there's only one way to go, and that's up. Even the bad times make you better. Those tough experiences put you in the furnace, where you're fired, your mettle is tested, and you come out stronger." I asked him if the dreams he wished for as a boy had come true. He nodded. "I've been very lucky," he answered. "And I know it's all a gift. It's not as if I earned it. I just don't look at it that way. If you've been fortunate, you have to share it with others. Success is a debt that you have to try to repay." Gibson has given generously to charities here and in Australia. Finally I inquired what had made his marriage last 22 years despite all the pressures. "I don't know," he replied, smiling. "It must be love. Women have a great capacity for it, understanding it more than guys do. I'm often astounded by what my wife is able to understand and takes for granted that I'm just figuring out. I'm still dragging my knuckles, and my wife is like light years ahead on that. It's the woman thing." He thought a moment. "I don't mean the whole romantic idea," he amended, "although women love the trappings of romance. I mean the real meaning of love. Women seem to get it. They're more compassionate than men. Love is selflessness - that's what love means."
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