Gathering of spirits

I was in an odd mood today. It wasn't because I didn’t feel like working (and if you know me at all you know there's nothing odd about that.) I was thinking about loss. Not superficial loss like money at the craps tables, car keys or the other sock. All things I’ve experienced numerous times—especially that craps tables part.

I was thinking about all the people I’ve loved and lost in my life. The ones who’ve departed too soon on the way to their next stop, be it a seat at the table, the waiting room or someplace they’ll need short sleeves and hand fans.

Can't you just feel what a fun post this is going to be?

I’ve written about this subject before in a five-year old post called The Grandstands of Heaven. And while it’s not a mood that strikes me often, it’s profound and powerful when it does. I’m past trying to figure out why it hits me now and then, but today I believe I got a signal that these were exactly the thoughts and people I needed to be thinking about.

It came to me in the form of a song called The Gathering of Spirits by Carrie Newcomer.

I was perusing Spotify today while (instead of) working, and almost instantly this beautiful, rich, optimistic song about the dearly departed came up on my list. It may be sappy to you, but it slayed me. I sat at my beautiful wooden desk in my comfy home office and just wept. I couldn't tell if they were tears of joy or sadness, but either way they were flowing. To me the song is so powerful, so poignant, it would’ve done that regardless of my mood.

Anyway, enough talking. Head back to the top of the post, have a listen and see if you aren't moved by it.

There’s a gathering of spirits
There’s a festival of friends
And we’ll take up where we left off
When we all meet again