Love. And That Quiet Ache

‘You are the Sun, I am the Moon, you are the words, I am the tune: Play me.’

My heart sits in a quiet place, this morning. We celebrated my Father in law’s 80th birthday last night, and it was tender and lovely, a true ode to friendship, and all the beautiful forms love can take.

For great chunks of the night I just sat, staring ahead, people watching, happily sitting beside a conversation that could have been force started, but instead lay sleeping, while I enjoyed the peace of my own little bubble.

And the moment that held my heart entirely: on stage with my sweet husband, scanning the faces of one hundred quiet people, as as we sang the beautiful Neil Diamond song, ‘Play me.’

I can’t help but think of all the people I love, and have loved, at times when my heart feels tender, like this. School teachers who have grown me. Friends and family who have seen me. People I miss, and that quiet ache. People I am yet to meet, who will change me.

Song and the part music has played in my life will always bring me back to that place.

It was so lovely to see my Father in law’s version of that tender love between friends. A whole room of people, genuinely and carefully there for him and the quiet moments that have created their friendship.

This world can be shallow.

But this quiet place is the beautiful truth beneath it all.