For Good

I had the privilege of seeing "Wicked" in Portland this week--a birthday present from my husband and daughter. My daughter drove us up there and we attended together. I had never even really heard of it. It's basically the back story of the witches of Oz; but it's not about sorcery and witchcraft at all. It's about power and manipulation, revising of history, truth and deception, truth and perception, and friendship.

I'm still reeling from the music and the concepts, the twists, the surprises. But that day, I was most moved by the song called, "For Good". The lyrics are below, as well as a link to a (probably illegal) video of it. I'm sure the song is more moving if you know the rest of the story, but it has merit on its own. To set the stage, Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) is saying goodbye to her longtime friend, Glinda the Good. As I sat there listening to the lyrics, I thought of my friend Laurie, who has stood by me for more than 20 years. I can't imagine ever having to say goodbye, but even so, these words are so perfect. "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..."

In the past few weeks I have met up (via Facebook) with some of my old college friends and so have been thinking back on those days a lot. Thinking about the girl I used to be and the person I am now. Thinking about how I did, or did not, influence others' lives. Thinking about how other people influenced my life. I have regrets, so many regrets. But I know that we don't grow into maturity overnight. I know that most 20-somethings go through a stage of legalism where they have it all figured out and they aren't very gracious. I was no different. I wish I could go back and be gracious instead of legalistic, cooperative instead of competetive, giving instead of seeking. But I can't go back. I can only go forward and thank God for His grace in my life. I can only go forward and when those 20-somethings come into my life, not take it personally, but understand, and speak kind and gracious words to them. I can only go forward and be thankful, oh so thankful!, for those handprints on my heart....so very many handprints. And go forward, knowing that those God brings into my life bring me something I must learn. And know that when God brought me into others' lives, it was to help them learn something...

Nevertheless, I hate goodbyes. I hate the goodbyes I have said in the past and I dread the goodbyes to come. I don't want handprints on my heart, I want hands.

(Elphaba):
I'm limited
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you
For both of us - now it's up to you...

(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...

For Good