John Denver and Robin

One of my favorite Christmas albums is John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together. Listening to these songs never fails to bring back sweet childhood Christmas memories. Things like dancing around the living room in my new footie bumble bee pajamas with Jamie (who also had new footie bumble bee pajams). Rushing to turn the tape over in the old cassette player and always getting a static-shock from the big round silver volume button. Singing at the top of my voice "Go tell it on the mountain" and pleading with mom for yet another Daffy cupcake. The deeply spiritual love present. So many memories. Wonderful, treasured memories.

Listening to my iTunes yesterday, lo and behold, but on should shuffle John Denver and Robin singing "When the River Meets the Sea". I have always appreciated this song; it has a hauntingly simple yet slow and beautiful melody which makes my ears tingle. Yesterday, I listened harder to the lyrics then I had previously. For your reference, I have included them below:

Robin: When the mountain touches the valley
All the clouds are taught to fly
As our souls will leave this land most peacefully
Though our minds be filled with questions
In our hearts we'll understand
When the river meets the sea

John Denver: Like a flower that has blossomed
In this dry and barren sand
We are born and born again most gracefully
Plus the winds of time will take us
With a sure and steady hand
When the river meets the sea

All: Patience my brothers
And patience my son
In that sweet and final hour
Truth and justice will be done

Robin: Like a baby when it is sleeping
In its mother's loving arms
What a newborn baby dreams is a mystery (a mystery)

John: But this life will find a purpose
And in time we'll understand
When the river meets the sea
When the river meets the almighty sea 

This has not been as easy two weeks at work. So often people will tell me "How wonderful for you to work in such a happy place" without realizing just how devastating it can be. Colleagues have told me that the saddest cases we ever receive always seem to happen at Christmas time, and I wonder why? Perhaps it is because at this time of year many of us seek to reconcile ourselves with a sense of a deeper meaning - be that faith or family - and God knows that with this connection, we will have the strength to carry on.


Though our minds be full of questions
In our hearts we'll understand
When the river meets the sea.


Until this day, I carry on and live for the moments of a vigorous cry, smacking lips, fulfilled birth plans and a new father's tears. My heart understands these. Thanks for reading: this writing has been cathartic.