For The Good Times

As we get older, we realize that the years have flown by as we were living out each day. During the times we were struggling to make ends meet between the paydays, the days seemed like we were living in “slow-motion”. Then there were the years when our kids went from three to eighteen overnight. During their college years, we wanted the costs to be over, but at the same time, not ready for them to be on their own.

Their marriages were joyful, but an announcement that they were really on their own. The years of being grandparents brought back memories of the times when our children were that age. Those were the years we had much to share but waited for the request for advice (sometimes). The years of watching the grandchildren grow to become adults brought a message of our declining years. When the person we made all those memories with is no longer by our side, the void can become all-consuming. Like a child lost in the forest and not knowing which direction to go.

We still have the knowledge gained over the years, but the purpose is gone. We may have the strength to get up each morning, but we have lost the “why.” The recent floods, which claimed over a hundred lives in just hours, including children and families, remind us how quickly life can change. That can cause us to wonder why we are still here.

My faith leads me to believe that God has a purpose for me to get up each day and be available for whatever purpose. I might never learn that purpose or whether it was fulfilled. So, what do I do in the meantime? I share my days with Eva. I do that by writing about my memories of times with her and giving thanks to God for those times. It was Tennyson who said: “’Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” Kris Kristofferson wrote the song “For the Good Times” after a relationship ended. The song was recorded by him and others, including Ray Price.

I have never written a song, and I know nothing about music; however, I wish I could have said these words to Eva in her last hours with me. Not sure my changes will fit the music, but I think Eva could make them fit. This is a part of my therapy for getting through my days.

For the Good Times – My Version

Don’t look so sad
I know it’s over
But life goes on and this whole world will keep on turning
Let’s just be glad, we had some time to spend together
There is no need to worry about the tomorrows

Lay your head upon my pillow
Hold your warm and tender body close to mine
Hear the whisper of the raindrops
Blowing soft against the window
And know our love will never end
For the good times

I’ll get along, until we meet again
You’ll be there in my memories when I need you
Don’t say a word about tomorrow or forever
There’ll be time enough for sadness when you leave me

Lay your head upon my pillow
Hold your warm and tender body close to mine
Hear the whisper of the raindrops
Blowing soft against the window
Tell me you love me one more time
For the good times.