Sometimes people leave you
halfway through the wood.
Do not let it grieve you,
No one leaves for good.
You are not alone.
No one is alone.
The stage version of the Sondheim musical, Into the Woods, was such a strange three hours–dark and uplifting all at once, with some of the loveliest music and most humorous moments I’ve experienced outside of Broadway. So much so that I needed to see it again two weeks later and decided to bring both my husband AND my gay husband. Next week.
But when I saw it first in San Francisco with a close woman friend, we both had the same gut-wrenching response to the lyric I quoted above.
Loss. How hard it is, and especially an untimely loss.
Yes, sometimes people do leave halfway through the wood.
Parents, lovers, children. Friends. Gone from our lives too soon, for whatever reason.
But I’m not ready! we want to scream. Don’t leave me yet!
We’re never ready for that moment of departure, not ever. Even if we think we are. Even if we think we want it.
Watching them fade into the mist, we are inconsolable, unless our world view allows us to believe that no one leaves for good.
No one.
And even though it may seem that way sometimes, we are never alone. No.
We carry the spirits of the people we love with us every day and can turn to them in times of need.
For comfort and love.
Close your eyes and let yourself feel it, while you listen. Yes, a live link.
This is so timely for me. My old puppy Max is fading again. It’s a slow goodbye, but I know in my heart, this really is going to be goodbye. No, you’re never ready, even when it’s a dog.
Barbara Shallue recently posted…This time last year…
I’m so sorry, Barbara. We lost our older boy in March and we still miss him every day.
Nice. And we all have those stories of when those spirits let us know they were out and about!
My favorite stories, too!
Yesterday my daughter lost her baby and this morning they had to put their dog down, both were unexpected. It was a sad weekend.
What a heavy weight all at the same time…sending blessings to her and all of you.
Lovely sentiment, and it is completely true. It is just hard to convince broken hearts that it is true. When people have this belief before something catastrophic occurs it is still difficult, but if you don’t have a belief before it is doubly troubling. I hope your post gives someone pause to find peace while the sun is shinning.
We must not only believe we aren’t alone, we find proof in our lives that we are not alone. Really study your beliefs out…….discover what you believe in and follow it. This journey is fascinating…it is a journey of the soul. Find out what you believe in, and then follow it. The peace and comfort you will find in your life is priceless.
Yes, such a good discussion and advice, donna.
This song has always been important to me. Haven’t heard it in a long time…Thanks.
Kindred souls…
Thank you Carol,
I consider this beautiful song a gift and shared it on Facebook. I’m so grateful we connected….
So am I!
Loved this!
Rena McDaniel-The Diary of an Alzheimer’s Caregiver recently posted…ALZHEIMER’S IN PASSING
True also in the Alzheimer world…so true.
I got teary from the first line of the song. So beautiful, so true. And so reassuring to know that we are not alone. Thank you for this.
Lois Alter Mark recently posted…“magic in the moonlight”
The music is beautiful and touching.
Beautiful Carol.
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Well, this is timely for me. But he’s still with us, my dad, and I recognize the miracle that he is, so I am going to swim in that for a little while longer. Thank you for the reminder tho, that when he decides to leave, it will only be for a little while.
I have been lucky enough not to have suffered the loss of a significant other, Carol. When the time comes, I’m not sure how I will cope. But I will remember these words. Thank you for the link – the song is beautiful.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted…Welcome September! Fresh Start!
Thank you, Corinne!
I’m watching my dad slowly fade from me. It’s painful. But I have a firm belief that he, like my mom, will always be nearby. Thank you for this. I know they won’t be gone for good.
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