The Healing Journey

December 30, 2023

“Remember when old ones died and new were born
And life was changed, disassembled, rearranged…”
— Alan Jackson

When someone we love dies, our minds are flooded with memories, some wonderful, some not so wonderful, but every relationship has its ups and downs. And the ups, which are also painful sometimes, can sustain us. Nothing in this life is perfect, but love points us to the path we should be on during our spiritual journey and our healing journey.

It’s strange and wonderful at the same time how so many memories, even those covered in dust that lie hidden, can come bubbling up after a loss, as we cling to them in the recognition of what we had and what we will have again someday.

One of country singer Alan Jackson’s most popular songs is “Remember When,” which has touched millions of people. Here are some comments:

“My wife was at the end of her battle with cancer when this song came out. I’ll never forget walking into our bedroom, and there she sat with tears streaming down her face … rest in peace, Sharon.”

“The words ‘old ones died, and new were born’ really hit home. Our youngest son was born the same year Grandpa died…”

“When I lost my wife, this song got in my head in 2003 and just would not go away, and here it is 2021, and I still could listen to it over and over …Thanks AJ!”

“This song now makes me think about my previous daddy and mother. My daddy has dementia and can no longer ‘Remember when.’ I scanned photos from their first date in 1959 to present. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last December.”

Hear Alan Jackson perform “Remember When” at Carnegie Hall.
(https://youtu.be/xM3_dtGyspQ?si=IDIwtNri8_q8gt2p)

Remember When

Remember when I was young and so were you
And time stood still and love was all we knew,
You were the first, so was I,
We made love and then you cried,
Remember when.
Remember when we vowed the vows and walked the walk,
Gave our hearts, made the start and it was hard,
We lived and learned, life threw curves,
There was joy, there was hurt,
Remember when.
Remember when old ones died and new were born
And life was changed, disassembled, rearranged,
We came together, fell apart
And broke each other’s hearts,
Remember when.
Remember when the sound of little feet
Was the music we danced to week to week,
Brought back the love, we found trust,
Vowed we’d never give it up,
Remember when.
Remember when thirty seemed so old
Now lookin’ back, it’s just a steppin’ stone
To where we are, where we’ve been
Said we’d do it all again
Remember when
Remember when we said when we turned gray,
When the children grow up and move away,
We won’t be sad, we’ll be glad
For all the life we’ve had,
And we’ll remember when.
Remember when,
Remember when.

Songwriters: Alan Jackson
Remember When lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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