Take it With Me

Yesterday, in the midst of a late-morning snooze, these lyrics drifted into my consciousness:

I'm going to take it with me when I go.

And as I readied myself to leave the cocoon I'd enjoyed all weekend, I fired up youtube and was reminded that it was from a Tom Waits tune. I should have known -- "the man with the perfect voice for singing about heartbreak and redemption" -- in the wise words of someone I cherish who knows a fair amount about both.

Listening to this song opened up a wellspring of tears, but not necessarily tears of sadness. Mostly I felt a profound sense of gratitude that I have the willingness and the ability to open my heart and let in all this goodness, and the good fortune to encounter another with the same willingness and ability.

Well, ok, so sadness was a part of it too, but that part of me is comforted by Tom's words:

Ain't no good thing ever dies
I'm going to take it with me when I go

Yes I am. And the other part that I really love, and believe in my heart:

All that you've loved is all you own...
I'm going to take it with me when I go

At this moment, I feel like if I get to keep all the love I've given and received in this life o'mine, I'm really not wanting for anything. And I'm really, really grateful for that.