Friends lost, friends found…

When a friend sang this to me (yes, you read that right…) over salad and pizza in an empty cafe, I was struck by the lyrics. Like a scene straight out of a Star Cinema movie, I sat there, listening in awe with my mouth half-open. When I think about it now, I wonder — “What must have the food servers been thinking?”
I had heard it sung before but I guess you must go through certain things before you can fully appreciate its meaning. There goes another precious “aha” moment.

For anyone who has ever lost a friend, male or female, you will relate to this one.

This is for you. You know who you are. Thank you for everything

(Glinda): I’ve heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you…

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba): It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You’ll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine

By being my friend…

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood

Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you

(Glinda): Because I knew you
(Both): I have been changed for good

(Elphaba): And just to clear the air I ask forgiveness
For the things I’ve done you blame me for

(Glinda): But then, I guess we know
There’s blame to share
(Both): And none of it seems to matter anymore

(Glinda): Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
(Elphaba): Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

(Both): Who can say if I’ve been Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been Changed for the better

(Glinda): And because I knew you…
(Elphaba): Because I knew you…
(Both): Because I knew you… I have been changed for good…