Always Remember Us This Way
“That Arizona sky burning’ in your eyes
You look at me and babe I wanna catch on fire
It buried in my soul like California gold
You found the light in me that I couldn’t find
So, when I’m all choked up
And I can’t find the words
Every time we say goodbye
Baby it hurts
When the sun goes down
And the band won’t play
I’ll always remember us this way
LINK to SONG
https://youtu.be/Voo86mlxZvA?si=TNaKgbi_bc8RSSo6
ALWAYS REMEMBER US THIS WAY
The words from Lady Gaga’s song “Always Remember Us This Way” perfectly capture my thoughts as I reflect on returning from a hiking trip with family and friends, as well as attending the retirement party of a former co-worker and friend.
Being reflective brings out emotions that we sometimes forget to experience in our everyday lives. It often takes a significant event—a trip, a celebration, a retirement, or even a goodbye—to cause us to slow down and take stock of the people and connections that have shaped us.
This song reminds me to pause and think about the people in my life.
Who are the people who bring out the best in you and “make you want to catch on fire?”
Who are the people who inspire you, excite you, believe in you, and make you want to be better?
There are several influential people who have helped form me into who I am today. I’m guessing you have them, too.
Who are your people?
Do you spend time thinking about the people who have come into your life and made it better? Not just better, but the people who bring out the light in you. The people who put a smile on your face, energize you, and illuminate your essence.
We all have them.
Maybe your illuminators were part of an earlier chapter of your life. Maybe they entered your life recently. Maybe you haven’t thought about them in years, or maybe you had coffee with one of them yesterday.
Have you told them how much they mean to you?
“You found the light in me that I couldn’t find.”
These people believed in you when your own confidence waned. They were your rock, your mentor, and your friend. You are at your best in their company. They pick you up when you are depleted or down. They “get you.” They see through your flaws and somehow still see all your best qualities. We all have people who have been with us through tough times and adversity. They have seen us at our worst and, somehow, continued to see the best in us. Hopefully, we have been that person for them, too.
“I can’t find the words.”
Most of us struggle to find the words to thank these people.
How do you adequately thank someone who picked you up when you were at your most vulnerable? How do you put into words what someone means when their influence on your life goes far beyond anything you could possibly explain?
Maybe the best thing is that we don’t always need the words. They see it in our eyes. They know. Sometimes words would be too hollow to capture what we are really feeling.
“Every time we say goodbye.”
We feel something every time we say goodbye.
Even when we expect to see someone again soon, there is still an awareness that this person is special to us. Sometimes the connection is felt in a hug, a smile, or a handshake without a single word being spoken. Sometimes saying goodbye hurts. And at some point, it will be the final goodbye.
My parents and my wife’s parents are all in their early to mid-80s. Every time we leave after the holidays, the embraces seem to become a little more emotional because we recognize something we didn’t always recognize when we were younger: We simply don’t know if it will be the last time. That realization changes a goodbye.
“When the sun goes down.”
At some point, the sun will go down for the final time. The band will stop playing for all of us. Our lives will continue, but they will be a little emptier because we have lost someone who illuminated our lives. And that is why memories matter.
Stories, laughter, adventures, hugs, conversations, and some ridiculous moments that make sense to no one else. The belly laughs that leave you wondering how you ever got to that point in the first place. Those are the things we carry with us.
“I’ll always remember us this way.”
Maybe that is the real message.
Life moves quickly. People come into our lives, influence us, challenge us, encourage us, love us, and eventually move into different chapters—or sometimes leave us altogether.
We don’t always get to choose how long someone will be in our lives. But we can choose whether we recognize their impact.
So, who are your illuminators? Who are the people who have brought out the light in you? Who believed in you when you struggled to believe in yourself? Who makes you laugh? Who makes you want to be better? Who do you need to thank?
And perhaps most importantly—
Have you told them?
Don’t wait for the retirement party or a funeral for the final goodbye.
Tell your people now. Thank them, call them, go for a hike, or share a laugh.
Because someday, when the sun goes down and the band stops playing, all we will have are the memories. And I hope when that day comes, I will remember my illuminators exactly as they were meant to be remembered:
With smiles on their faces, laughter in the air, and a whole lot of light.
Thanks to all the musicians who use the power of music to make us feel strong emotions and reflect on the value of our relationships!