"I'm leaving you alone.
You can tend the garden, it's yours.
Separate and alone . . ."
You can tend the garden, it's yours.
Separate and alone . . ."
~ Stephen Sondheim, "Last Midnight" (Into the Woods)
Into the Woods is a very deep and somewhat dark musical by Sondheim. It deals with dreams and hopes, on many levels, and how what we want when we 'walk into the woods' of life isn't always what we find, or what we end up with when we re-emerge. The fairy tales of childhood are personified. The play itself is multi-layered and thought-provoking. What would happen if wishes did come true?
There comes a time in life where we have to grow up, give up, and learn to move on. Dreams from high school can easily become nightmares of middle-age. What we thought was ours isn't always so, and the reality of it can be painful and nearly devestating.
But, you decide to go on. Or at least to try.
There has never been a time in my adult life that a dream that's been nagging in the back of my brain since age 16 ever faded. That is, until now. Sometimes when we lash out, in our own pain and frustration, we don't get the understanding that we had hoped from the 'lash-ee". In his or her own pain, lashes are returned. Doors and windows of communication are slammed shut, and you realize, for the first time in nearly two-thirds of your life, that you are now alone, to tend the garden of memories you planted. And watered with your tears.
Perhaps, though, understanding comes from a surprising source. Your pain can be transformative. So they say.
But, how does one "move on"? Where does the strength come from? Why does it seem insurmountable?
There comes a time in life where we have to grow up, give up, and learn to move on. Dreams from high school can easily become nightmares of middle-age. What we thought was ours isn't always so, and the reality of it can be painful and nearly devestating.
But, you decide to go on. Or at least to try.
There has never been a time in my adult life that a dream that's been nagging in the back of my brain since age 16 ever faded. That is, until now. Sometimes when we lash out, in our own pain and frustration, we don't get the understanding that we had hoped from the 'lash-ee". In his or her own pain, lashes are returned. Doors and windows of communication are slammed shut, and you realize, for the first time in nearly two-thirds of your life, that you are now alone, to tend the garden of memories you planted. And watered with your tears.
Perhaps, though, understanding comes from a surprising source. Your pain can be transformative. So they say.
But, how does one "move on"? Where does the strength come from? Why does it seem insurmountable?
"'Don't slip away and I won't hold so tight'
What can you say that no matter how slight
Won't be misunderstood?"
What can you say that no matter how slight
Won't be misunderstood?"
~ Stephen Sondheim, "Children Will Listen" (Into the Woods)
What do you say when words fail? What if words are the reason for failure?
"People make mistakes,
Holding to their own,
Thinking they're alone.
Honor their mistakes . . .
You decide what's right you decide what's good
Just remember:
Someone is on your side."
Holding to their own,
Thinking they're alone.
Honor their mistakes . . .
You decide what's right you decide what's good
Just remember:
Someone is on your side."
~ Stephen Sondheim, "You Are Not Alone" (Into the Woods)
It's in times like these I am grateful for friends. On a side note, always listen to your heart and watch those signs. I learned my lesson.
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