"For Good"

Okay, okay...it's been forever since I sat at my computer and collected my thoughts, so forgive the long lapse in posting.

Well, the physical move to Chicago was not as bad as I thought. John and I found a nice warehouse loft in Lincoln Park (an old sausage factory, no laughing David.) It's a top floor facing south, so the city views are incredible.

I boldly declared I could do the drive from Dallas to Chicago in one day. Our cat Skutty would overrule me on that one when we hit Rolla, Missouri at 6 p.m. In a little cage on the front seat of my car, she began to tilt her head and meow repeatedly. So it was to a pet-friendly hotel for respite and a small restaurant: "All we got is the buffet sweetie." Okay, I was really enjoying braving new roads and my Patricka (pronounced Patrick with a UH at the end), my waitress for the evening.

Skutty was right, our drive the next day seemed even longer as we began to hit some snow. It was a little scary and pretty at the same time. Around 3 p.m. I could see the Sears Tower on the horizon and knew we were close. I arrived to meet John at the loft and we unloaded the car of my plant menagerie and things I did not want the movers to handle.

There was no rest as we headed to Oliver's, a great friend here in Chicago who would host us until the movers arrived. Skutty would have to make peace with his Beagle named Bailey. Well the gang here in Chicago (Erin, Oliver, Sven and Jeremy...love you guys!) had a welcome bash all lined up that included great seats to the Broadway hit "Wicked" and a cast party afterwards. SNL's Ana Gasteyer ("I'm am the greatest singer in the world!") played the role of Elphaba. Apparently her musings as Celine Dion were correct as she received a standing ovation at intermission for her flying performance of "Defying Gravity."

The second act began and a song emerged from this show that has stayed with me since. The two witches of Oz realize through so much change, loss and sadness they have truly emerged better people because they met. One of them must leave and it is with the lyrics of this song I close this post. Maybe it applies to someone in your life.

"For Good"

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes around the sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend.

And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for
But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share
And none of it seems to matter anymore

Like a ship blown off it's mooring
by a wind rushed from the sea
As a skybird drops the seedling
that will one day become a tree
Like a stream that meet a boulder
halfway through the wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
I do believe I have been changed for the better?
And because I knew you
I have been changed for good.