One of these days your heart will stop and play its final beat"
The radio is playing all of David's songs this morning as I try to bake cupcakes and make pico de gallo to take to my son's barbecue this afternoon.
"One of these days the clocks will stop and time won't mean a thing
One of these days their bombs will drop and silence everything"
I never used to believe in the idea of soul mates. I watched my mother and dad sleep in separate rooms for years before she finally left to "find herself" and dragged us along with her. And the man I thought I'd grow old with decided a wife and children weren't worth the effort - I left before I gave up my sanity completely trying to be the "good wife."
"But it's alright
Yeah it's alright
I said it's alright"
I figured it wasn't worth it to try anymore - I was a mom, not a wife, and I focused on that for a long time. But the crushing loneliness took its toll.
"Easy for you to say
Your heart has never been broken
Your pride has never been stolen
Not yet not yet"
And then I met David.
We used to laugh at the naysayers - people who didn't really know us who thought we were crazy for carrying on a relationship from 5000 miles apart. Family who knew me and only wanted to see me happy but didn't know David other than someone I talked about all the time.
"One of these days
I bet your heart'll be broken
I bet your pride'll be stolen
I bet I bet I bet I bet
One of these days
One of these days"
When we first met, I was astounded that any man could be as generous and loving as he was. It was out of my experience - and we had a bit of a time getting used to one another. David never seemed overwhelmed, always said the right things at the right time, loved me completely and made me laugh all the time. I still have trouble believing someone could love me as much as I loved him.
David and I, Irish Catholic and California Protestant, loved the same God, and we considered each other as God's gifts to us.
"One of these days your eyes will close and pain will disappear
One of these days you will forget to hope and learn to fear"
I was trying to come to him at Christmas - it was his 50th birthday and I was going to meet his daughter in person for the first time, and I was going to insist on meeting the parents finally. He was trying to get enough money together to come to California, where he was happy to learn to live with the hot weather and be a grandpa.
And then David was gone.
"One of these days your heart will stop and play its final beat"
It surprises me still that I can be going along, living my life the best I can, singing in the kitchen while I cook, planning fun things to do with my girls, griping about work - and then all of a sudden I break.
"Don't say it's alright
Don't say it's alright
Don't say it's alright"
I know God has a plan - I know this. David was a part of it - and he's up there now telling me to keep strong and be faithful. Some days are easier than others, and I'm not as weepy as a few months ago. Between David and the Lord I have been and continue to be loved fully.
Let me quote another song, one I learned as a child and remember when things overwhelm me:
"For I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that He is able
to keep that which I've committed
unto Him against that day."
David always teased me about knowing all the "Proddy" hymns. But I know how much he loved to hear me sing, and even though he's not here now, I will sing for God instead - and see David in heaven when my time comes.
"One of these days
One of these days
One of these days"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"These Days" - Foo Fighters 2011
"I Know Whom I Have Believed" - Daniel W. Whittle/James McGranahan 1883
No comments:
Post a Comment