Spring is coming and with it, it’s bringing lots of changes. I like changes. It’s exciting and challenging, and really who doesn’t like a new adventure? But what if it’s your friends who are about to embark on a new adventure, and you have to see them off while wishing them luck? Lots of my friends are about to start new chapter of their lives. I know I should be excited for them but the problem is I have a hard time saying good-bye.
I’ve been living in NYC for a while now so I’ve had my share of saying good-byes. But I never seem to get used to it. Each good-bye hurts and the pain surprises me like it never happened before.
Last weekend, I had to say good-bye to one of my most favorite people in the world. My 3-year-old friend Gretsey. Gretsey and her family, who are all close to me, are about to start a new life in suburbia. I know it’s only a train ride away but past three years, I got to see Gretsey on a weekly basis. Being only a walking distance away, I could just pop in to see them at the end of the day or meet them at a park near by. Gretsey and her little sister Maddie, made my life so much better and so much more fun. Sometime we spin ourselves till we are dizzy, or sing a song badly and loudly on the street. It’s nothing like seeing their faces light up when I walk in the door.
I cried like a kid when they drove off in their packed car. As I sat down in my very quiet room – kids are noisy! – with the pain in my chest, I did what I usually do when that happens. I wrote a song. I didn’t want say “Good-bye” so I used “Goodnight” instead. I don’t really know why but maybe that goodnight sounds a lot less final.
My band performed the song at our last show. (There was another good-bye at the show but that’s for next time) I asked James to take a video and asked audience to say “Goodnight Gretsey” at the end of the song. I hope she gets a kick out of it! A little of bit of singing makes you feel a whole lot better – that’s something I definitely re-learned from her.
Hope you enjoy!
Oh the sun has long gone down
Here we are still holding hands
Wasn’t today amazing?
Wasn’t it so much fun?
But the clock is ticking and it’s almost time…
Isn’t it hard to say Goodnight?
Isn’t it hard to say Goodnight?
Though I know I’ll see you soon
But I know I’ll still miss you
Isn’t it hard to say Goodnight my love, Goodnight
I love the stories you told me
While we waited our train
How we couldn’t stop laughing
No one else seems to find it funny
But the clock is ticking and it’s almost time…
Isn’t it hard to say Goodnight?
Isn’t it hard to say Goodnight?
Though I know I’ll see you soon
But I know I’ll still miss you
Isn’t it hard to say Goodnight my love, Goodnight
Maybe one day, someday, I find you far away
Drifting apart from one another
All but a memory fading away
Though you maybe near or far
Though you maybe happy or sad
Remember you’ll always be my friend
Call my name I’ll be there again
Isn’t it hard to say Goodnight my love, Goodnight
©Miwa Gemini 2013
Fantastic Lies of Grizzly Rose 