In the End

John had just left for his bike ride this morning and I was heading to the keyboard with the intention of writing a blog post about the song “In the End” by Dale Ann Bradley that we heard a Florida music friend sing at church a couple of weeks ago.

In the End
by Dale Ann Bradley

It won’t matter about your political views
It won’t matter where you sat on the pew
Won’t make a difference how much you knew
When it comes down to the end
And it won’t matter what kind of car you drove
And it won’t matter where you lived on the road
Did you do your best? Did you love your most?
That’s what matters in the end

Cuz in the end, there’s no rewind
There’s no turning back the time
When you leave this world behind
Will they say you were their friend?
That’s what matters in the end

It won’t matter how many candles lit your cake
And it won’t matter how many times you slept in late
But if your love didn’t overcome your hate
Well, that’s what matters in the end

Cuz in the end, there’s no rewind
There’s no turning back the time
When you leave this world behind
Will they say you were their friend?
That’s what matters in the end

Cuz in the end, there’s no rewind
There’s no turning back the time
When you leave this world behind
Will they say you were their friend?
That’s what matters in the end

John opened the kitchen door asking me, “Can you come out and see if you can make any sense of something out here?” I had no clue what I would find, but his lumbar belt had come unfastened and fell off and was tangled in between the brake pad and the wheel rim!

It took some doing but I was finally able to get it free.

When that happened, John made a grumbling sort of sound. His reaction sound was obviously not relief or appreciation — it sounded like disgust or annoyance or frustration. Perhaps there was also some shame or guilt as well. I am not sure about that.

Earlier this morning as I had been looking on his phone for a photo of another song so I could send it to a couple we have met at jams this season when I saw political photos. You know the energy those sorts of things hold.

I was surprised and I felt sad.

I told him about having seen all of the political photos while I had been looking for the photo of the song, and the feelings I experienced. Then I shared how important it is right now to not give attention to anything negative. It was my intention to clarify that one can be caught by a sentiment and send something in that moment, and how different that is from choosing to save a photo.

“I would only save something I wanted to make permanent,” I offered before adding, “I am wondering if it might not be wise for you to ride right now?”

“I had that same thought. I am going to put new strings on my guitar,” he mused heading into the house. Coming out of the bedroom with a big towel, ready to begin, Alexa spontaneously played another song sung by a different music friend, “Me and John and Paul.” This music friend died soon after John and I left Michigan last fall. Soon after Michael passed I told John I would like him to add this song to his repertoire as a tribute song. Tears filled my eyes.

Michael was angry and frustrated and disgruntled by sooooo much of life. People were “stupid” or “idiots.” Things were “not fair.” It was as though our beloved friend was at that very moment reaching across the veil confirming the importance of living an affirmative life in which your love overcomes your hate.

I am now at the end of this post. John is now playing his newly-strung guitar.

As the song says, that’s what matters in the end….