Touch and Go

Yesterday afternoon I went to my aunt's funeral. She's my mom's older sister. I remembered her as someone who was jolly, always cracking up jokes and taking me to places. I remembered how she always sided with me when I didn't want to have my long black hair cut during summer vacation. It's been a long time since I last saw her and it was sad that when I had to see her again it was at her funeral.

When I got to their place I felt really nostalgic, I remembered their place quite differently back then. I remembered it as a huge playground, where every nook and cranny was a magical place of make-believe. Now, my little playmates had kids like me, but their kids were older...their kids had kids of their own! I also saw my cousins, former playmates I seldom see anymore. And to my chagrin, I was informed just today - that I am now a grandma! Whoa! Good thing my grandson was sooooooo adorable that I forgave my niece for making me a very young grandma. Hehehe.

I was silent during the drive home, I couldn't help but think about the past and the present and how they are so intricately woven to how my future would be like. Life is so fragile, sometimes it's hard to hold on to it, it's always touch and go. I was sad to know that I wouldn't see my aunt anymore, but I was surprised at how strong her presence had been imprinted in my life; and somehow it comforted me to know that she will never really be gone nor forgotten in my heart.

Here's an old song by Rupert Holmes I heard on the radio the other day. A super dooper oldie. It tells how life couldn't last forever but promises that love could make it worth while. I'd like to share with you the lyrics.



Nobody said that
Life is always fair
Sometimes it clips your wings
While you're in mid-air
But there's a thread
Between your life and mine
And when you're losin' hope
This rope won't unwind

Hold on tight
'Cause life is touch and go
It's sink or swim
But never doubt
If you're out on a limb
I'll get the call
To break your fall
I'll never leave you
Even when life
Is touch and go
Or hit and run
We'll never break
If we take it as one
I'm here to stay,
I pray you know
I'll never touch
I'll never touch and go

Someday you'll find
There's nothin' in the night
That wasn't there before
You turned out the light
Straight from your mind
The monster 'neath your bed
The voices in the hall
They're all in your head

Hold on tight
'Cause life is touch and go
It's sink and swim
But never doubt
If you're out on a limb
I'll get the call
To break your fall
I'll never leave you
Even when life
Is touch and go
Or hit and run
We'll never break
If we take it as one
I'm here to stay,
I pray you know
I'll never touch
I'll never touch and go

When you feel lost
You're only spun around
Tumbled and tossed
But never run around
Life is a townful
Of strangers at best
I'll help you home
God help the rest

Hold on tight
'Cause life is touch and go
It's sink and swim
But never doubt
If you're out on a limb
I'll get the call
To break your fall
I'll never leave you
Even when life
Is touch and go
Or hit and run
We'll never break
If we take it as one
I'm here to stay,
I pray you know
I'll never touch
I'll never touch and go

Life is touch and go
It's sink or swim
But never doubt
If you're out on a limb
I'll get the call...

That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet. ~ Emily Dickinson