Bittersweet

The time has come... the time to pack up and head out.

It's bittersweet, for I really am looking forward to being home with my beloved again, yet... the ones I leave behind are also deeply loved.

There's this nostalgic sadness permeating the atmosphere of my mind this week. This could be the last time we do ______ together. This could be the last time I see D play the guitar and sing like that. Wow, I haven't seen D play the guitar and sing like that in over a year. This could be the last time for ______. This could be my last racquetball...


And, truthfully, I just want to head home from here. I don't really want to go work for S, because it takes so much out of me, emotionally, to spend large quantities of time over there, and and I'm already rather depleted. Tired... so tired...

But I'm going to miss these dear friends-turned-family. I always do. All of them, not just the S's.

I suppose that we always carry a little bit of each other inside of us, in the form of memories or inspiration. I am fortunate enough to come away with both.

But, as they say... "I can't miss you if you won't leave!" ;)

I must go finish packing good ol' Shenandoah. (What a faithful steed!)

If you could soldier on, headstrong into the storm
I'll be here waiting on the other side
Don't look back the road is long, the first days of the war are gone
Take back your former throne and turn the tide

'Cause if you never leave home, never let go
You'll never make it to the great unknown
Till you keep your eyes open, my love

So tell me you're strong, tell me you see
I need to hear it, can you promise me?
To keep your eyes open, my love

Just past the circumstance, the first light, a second chance
No child could ever dance the way you do
Tear down the prison walls, don't stop the curtain calls
Your chains will never fall until you do

'Cause if you never leave home, never let go
You'll never make it to the great unknown
Till you keep your eyes open, my love
So show me your fire, show me your heart
You know I'll never let you fall apart
If you keep your eyes open, my love

Ohhh open up
Ohhh open up
Ohhh open up your eyes, the weight is unbroken

Ohhh open up
Ohhh open up
Ohhh open up your eyes (keep your eyes open)

Don't let the night become the day
Don't take the darkness to the grave
I know pain is just a place
The will has been broken

Don't let the fear become the hate
Don't take the sadness to the grave
I know the fight is on the way
When the sides have been chosen

'Cause if you never leave home, never let go
You'll never make it to the great unkown
Open up your eyes, keep your eyes open

So show me your fire, show me your heart
You know I'll never let you fall apart
If you keep your eyes open, my love
Keep your eyes... (keep your eyes open)