
I lost a friend about twenty years ago. It was because I gave unsolicited advice. No matter if I was right or not, it didn’t matter. I gave unsolicited advice and it broke apart our friendship for years. We mended it about eight years ago, patched it up as best we could, made peace, offered forgiveness. I showed up to her father’s funeral, she attended my mother’s wake. But so much time had passed. Her children grew up. Our lives changed and matured. The seas between us have roared and swelled. For her, my “trusty friend,” I raise a cup of kindness. For you, too.
It’s the best version of a song sung at the end of the year.
“Auld Lang Syne” Kate Taylor
A new translation of the ballad “Old Long Since,” a poem by National Poet Robert (“Robbie”) Burns written in 1792 from a Scottish folk song of the 1680s.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne
For auld lang syne
for auld lang syne
should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne
We two have run about the hills
and gathered flowers fine
we wandered many a weary foot
since auld lang syne
We two have sported in the brook
from morning sun til dine
but seas between us have roared and swelled
since auld lang syne
For auld lang syne
for auld lang syne
the seas between us have roared and swelled
since auld lang syne
And here’s a hand my trusty friend
and give a hand of thine
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet
for auld lang syne
For auld lang syne
for auld lang syne
we’ll take a cup of kindness
for auld lang syne
Credits:
Lyrical adaptation by Charles H. Witham
Kate Taylor: vocal and guitar
musical arrangement by James Taylor
© Devil’s Bridge Music BMI, katetaylor.com
Reblogged this on Martha Reynolds Writes and commented:
This was my year-end post four years ago. This past year brought me closer to some very good people, and it deepened the divide with others. What I do know is that kindness and civility matter. Here’s to 2018. Pray for peace.
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What a beautiful post and a beautiful person you are. It has been such a joy getting to know you and your writing, Martha. Have a wonderful New Year!
Samantha Stroh Bailey
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Thank you, Sam – and I feel the same way about you! Looking forward to 2014. xoxo
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Oh, Diane – thank you. Just writing it made me cry! Time lost can never be taken back, and I think that saddened me the most.
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Thanks Martha. You gave me pause with this post. I’ll be drinking a cup of kindness tomorrow and remembering the warmth of friendships lost found and ever-constant.
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