I haven't written much on the subject of Uncle Mike and Kyle's deaths - not here or even in my written journal. Most inspiration comes from emotions, but it is too difficult to write about the strongest ones. So although I don't post song lyrics often or ever, the song "Long Ride Home" by Patty Griffin came up as I shuffled my iPod this morning. Patty describes a widow's ride home from the cemetery, but in doing so says very clearly the lesson I have taken from this tragic event and from all the other people whom I have loved and lost: Love them madly, deeply, and always; make your words heal and not injure; and never take marriage's long partnership for granted, because you never know how long it will be. What Aunt Jan and Kim have lost is the greatest source of sadness for me - each one losing her partner, her past, and at least a piece of her future. To my husband...I love you forever.
"Long Ride Home"
Long black limousine
Shiniest car I've ever seen
The back seat is nice and clean
She rides as quiet as a dream
Someone dug a hole six long feet in the ground
I said goodbye to you and I threw my roses down
Ain't nothing left at all in the end of being proud
With me riding in this car, and you flying through the clouds
I've had some time to think about you
And watch the sun sink like a stone
I've had some time to think about you
On the long ride home
One day I took your tiny hand
Put your finger in the wedding band
Your daddy gave a piece of land
We laid ourselves the best of plans
Forty years go by with someone laying in your bed
Forty years of things you say you wish you'd never said
How hard would it have been to say some kinder words instead
I wonder as I stare up at the sky turning red
I've had some time to think about you
And watch the sun sink like a stone
I've had some time to think about you
On the long ride home
Headlights staring at the driveway
The house is dark as it can be
I go inside and all is silent
It seems as empty as the inside of me
I've had some time to think about you
And watch the sun sink like a stone
I've had some time to think about you
On the long, on the long
Oh the long, on the long
On the long ride home
1 comment:
"...How hard would it have been to say some kinder words instead..."
WOW
Thanks for that, Emily. Something my husband and I both struggle with is the unkind things we say to each other. Sure we love each other a TON and all that jazz ;) but we are both very stubborn people who, sometimes, don't know when to back down instead of trying to one-up the other one with some unkind word! This made me tear up, because we DON'T know how long we have together...and we need to treat each other with kindness, respect, and LOVE! After all, we are the most important person in each others' lives!
Thanks for the reality check :).
Hope your pregnancy is going well!!!
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