Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Our Life Book

 
 
 
 
 
 
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.
 
 
                                ~~ Seneca (Roman philosopher, mid-1st century AD)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On my way home from the store yesterday, the song "Closing Time" by Semisonic was playing on my compilation CD. That quote is used in the song, and it has always "spoken" to me...when it played yesterday, I was a little surprised to find tears spring immediately to my eyes. Well...not totally surprised, because that happens to me a lot. (Ask Ken!)
 
Maybe it's just that summer is coming to a close, and we'll soon be into winter. Winter always seems like an end, but I've also come to believe that it's a beginning. "Spring: The Prequel," if you will. There's a cycle in the seasons, just as there is in our lives. We've all felt the promise of a new beginning, but there's a measure of bittersweet in realizing that we are also leaving a part of us behind. Sometimes it's not bittersweet at all, and it's welcomed. Either way, it's turning a page in the book of our lives. Some of those pages aren't worth re-reading, but others can be revisited with fondness. I suspect that we all have certain pages that we wish were never written, or that we'd like to burn, but they are ours, like it or not. Some people simply re-write those pages, and re-invent the occurrences that have happened. These "mental editors" choose to tear those pages out and hide them away from others, but they still exist. Pages from our life book cannot be destroyed, no matter how hard you may try, or how desperately you try to cross out certain passages, or write over the lines. The ink is indelible, and while it might fade until almost illegible, it is never truly gone and can never be erased.
 
The song "Closing Time" is about something as mundane as shooing people out of a club when it closes. For those of us who used to go out dancing a lot--and I mean A LOT--we all know the bouncer's mantra: "You don't have to go home but you can't stay here!" Ha ha! At that time in my life, I was with someone who started out as a promising beginning...but that beginning ended...badly. The next beginning also seemed promising...and that one ended, too. (I wish I could re-write those parts...but I can't.) My next new beginning was the best one, and it's a story that is still unfolding. I enjoy reading each page as it is written, and can hardly wait to see what happens next.
 
So as the night winds down, the band packs up their gear, and the festivities come to a close, I know exactly who I want to take me home.
 
 
Closing Time
 
Closing time
Open all the doors and let you out into the world
Closing time
Turn all of the lights on over every boy and every
girl
Closing time
One last call for alcohol so finish your whiskey or
beer
Closing time
You don't have to go home but you can't stay here

I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
Take me home

Closing time
Time for you to go out to the places you will be from
Closing time
This room won't be open till your brothers or your
sisters come
So gather up your jackets, move it to the exits
I hope you have found a friend
Closing time
Every new beginning comes from some other
beginning's end

I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
Take me home

Closing time
Time for you to go out to the places you will be from

I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
Take me home

I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
Take me home

Closing time
Every new beginning comes from some other
beginning's end
 
 

 

 

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have a really hard time with Summer ending. I live for Spring and Summer. When Fall comes I try to enjoy it, and halfway succeed, but Winter and I dont get along at all. The rain, cold, windy days do not agree with my life I love outside. I am glad you finally found the one you were looking for. Sometimes we have to go through some bad times to get to the good times, I have been there too. Hugs, Kelly

Anonymous said...

My jounal on line is a Book.  Each month is a chapter and each day is  the pages.  A book is no good without a beginning, no good without a middle or an end either.
It takes them all to really make for good reading.  Some parts are more exciting others are dull and boring, but it does take every single page to make a whole.
Nice thoughts you have today.  'On Ya' - ma

Anonymous said...

Autumn is my beginning... by then I'm able to stick my nose out of the house.  Summer?  Forget it...  

~Amy

Anonymous said...

Yep I have lots of pages that I would like to burn............

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a great entry!  I have many pages that I would like to rip out & burn, but I know those pages are what made me into the person that I am today! Like you~ I have found the love of my life!  He's not perfect & neither am I, but I love him with all my heart & soul!  

At times like this I think about the song, "Unanswered Prayers."  I think Garth Brooks sang it!  I can definitely relate to this song!!!  Back then I thought I had found the guy of my dreams...........HA HA HA        HE WASN'T EVEN CLOSE!!!!!!!
God Definitely KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING!!!!  Thank You Dear LORD!!!!

Hugs,
Hollie

Thanks for the memories!!!!

Anonymous said...

... today, I happened upon that video ... that and another one that I am going to use in the future ... 'breakfast at tiffany's' by deep blue something ... it was between the two, but I don't think I could have written anything any better than you have ...

Anonymous said...

I know for us, these past seven years, it is only the footnotes that we would like to burn.  The main text only gets better and better.  LUWAMHHP :o)

Anonymous said...

I used to say I don't couple well, but really, I don't STAY coupled well, & a lot of that is my doing.  I was sort of forced to be very independent at a young age,& I am also too good with alone time, lots of it.  In some ways I see that as a huge plus, but in relationships it has detracted from a bit. My book is still pretty interesting, at least to me. ~Mary

Anonymous said...

Have a good rest of your week.
Missie

Anonymous said...

It's an excellent song, and what you said was beautifully spoken. I too have pages I wish I could disgard, or wish I could change. Here of late I have realized that sometimes those pages in the book of life is what brought us to the happiness we all know today. It has taught us that pain, sadness, and hurt can be replaced. Maybe it does come and go in this life, but it is up to our souls to keep hold of our inner peace, and love. If we weep or scream sometimes at the way life's book reads, it's okay we are human! If we learn from our emotions, and turn to the the next chapter we can find happiness. The best part of life's book is that we help write our chapters, and what makes it beautiful, no matter what is that God is our librarian. I must say life is what it is sometimes, so let us all be better writers from it!

Stay Strong,

Wes

Anonymous said...

pretty picture
I hope that your Fall is beautiful and you have a great winter!
love,natalie

Anonymous said...

WELL written entry, as always.
I get really irritated by those around me that  make the same mistakes over and over and then complain about it. Even if you try to help and explain how to change, they won't change. I dislike winter very much and it can bring with it a big sadness or depression. Great song.

Anonymous said...

With the closing of each chapter, and even the ones you wished had never been written, comes lessons learned.  Some of us need to go back and re-read those chapters so that we don't repeat the same mistakes.  We have hope that as we turn the page and begin a new chapter, surprises, dreams realized, and happiness abound.  I am so glad you have come out of the not-so-good times intact, and home with the one you love!  Beautifully written...
xoxo ~Myra

Anonymous said...

I see seasons as chapters as well, I will miss summer.  I don't care for winter.  I find it bleak..I need the warmth of the sun and the long days to thrive.  I've changed up my "chapters" this year.  I plan on working out all winter..keep those faranomes or whatever they are on a higher level and maybe stay out of the dark despair of winter.  If my life were in book form winters would be the most depressing times for me.  Well written Beth and a great read.
Lisa