The Way We Were

We’ve all heard the Barbara Streisand song of that title, and we’ve all thought, probably many times, of the way we were when we were younger, prettier, stronger, perhaps more optimistic, certainly more naïve. 

‘Memories light the corner of my mind.  Misty water color memories of the way we were.  / Can it be that it was all so simple then, or has time rewritten every line?  If we had the chance to do it all again, Tell me? Would we? Could we?’

For me, the answer is, generally, ‘no’ and ‘perhaps.’  And for that I am very thankful—I’ve had few regrets.  I’ve got ‘miles to go’ and great things to look forward to. 

She goes on: ‘Memories may be beautiful and yet, what’s too painful to remember, we simply choose to forget.’  Well, again, perhaps. 

I did not see the movie, so I do not know the context of these lyrics, but I suppose it was her reflection of a past relationship that probably was once good but then went bad.  We’ve all got a movie that we sometimes run back. 

But the notion is valuable.  It congers a reflection in all of us as we look back at our lives: where we’ve been, where we are, where we have yet to go.  Are we satisfied?  Are we prepared for whatever might lie ahead?  

As another year passes (it is, after all, December 31^st), as our life passes, we invariably look back.  Often we see—or sometimes ‘simply choose to forget,’ but better yet choose to learn from—the rough parts ,  as well as happily recounting and replaying that which was good. 

One of the greatest boons that we have, in real time, is that we have access to an editing mechanism, a ‘delete’ button that really can ‘re[write] every line.’  Call it ‘repentance,’ and the outcome call ‘forgiveness,’  and call the life ahead a great ‘new day dawning,’ or a new beginning—whatever, with God’s help, we choose to make it. 

As I seem to be infused today with song lyrics,  I end this year with two more: 

For me, ‘It’s been a good life, all in all.’ (John Denver)  

If not for you, ‘Pick [yourself] up and get back in the race…that’s life.’ (Frank Sinatra) You might be surprised at who might be happy to run beside you! 

Auld lang syne.