(Dorothy, to the Munchkins, in the movie, "The Wizard of Oz"
I lost two friends this past year. They were not close friends of mine -- we didn't "hang out" together. In fact, if the truth be told --which I'm trying to hold to -- they were more....acquaintances of mine. Good acquaintances -- I was always happy to see them -- we'd sit and chat -- I invited them to parties and/or events I was hosting, etc.
But they died.
And their friends grieved.
Outpourings of sorrow, shared stories of youth and adventures followed.
And then I went to see a local production of "Rent" -- one of my favorites. And the opening number, "Seasons of Love" struck me to my core:
Six hundred minutes,
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Moments so dear.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?"
(The opening chorus of the song "Seasons of Love" from the show "Rent")
How do you measure a year?
In daylights? How many do you remember? What did you do?
in sunsets? Did you share them with someone? Did you take a picture of one?
in midnights? Or were you asleep through that quiet hour?
in cups of coffee? How many cups did you share -- or spend alone?
in inches? gained....or lost....
in miles? Away from those you love? Physical or emotional miles?
in laughter? Who did you make grin, giggle, or guffaw?
in strife? Whose burden did you ease?
We all are on a journey -- and the end result is the same: death. We all may have a different interpretation as to what comes after Death -- and that is fine. I can't change that part of your journey -- I can't even change this part of your journey. But I need to do something for my journey. I need to tell the people in my life that they're important to me now -- while they're alive.
The combination of the musical, deaths, and the new year have brought to this new revelation and resolution -
so -
My resolution for 2013 is to tell 365 people what they mean to me. I intend to type the names on a list, and randomly draw a friend to write to-and-about. I will post all of them here.
Happy 2013 -- tell someone what they mean to you.
3 comments:
That show is amazing. I was sharing the song with my kids earlier this year, because somehow it came up that we were wondering how many minutes were in a year. And then we were on YouTube, and I was singing along and crying. We need those reminders to hold precious those who are precious to us. Thank you for this!
WONDERFUL idea. i look forward to meeting the people you love through these posts.
Great idea and great post Jayne...I would copy it except I don't know 365 people!
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