Once

Sometimes, it is important to get inspired by music, art, creativity and love. Over the past few weeks, I have had very close friends (2) who have lost their father and my heart goes out to them. It is not easy losing someone even though the journey for that special soul may have only just continued to another place. Missing a person never stops; as I can certainly relate. Tonight as I was arriving from one of my weekly trips from DC, I was reminded of my Dad.

It wasn't expected, as I was kind of exhausted after a long train ride from DC. But as I left the train to get to my car late at night, I felt the fresh black air which helped to wake me up a bit. I was happily surprised to see so many folks at the station late at night (as I was worried a bit for my safety). Anyway, I got in my car and hooked up my IPOD to listen to my favorite soundtrack "ONCE" which always raises my heart's senses. (Leave is an incredible track...)

After departing the "Metropark" station, I drove past the Garden State Parkway exit that I needed to take; but luckily, due to my handy "TOM TOM" I then was instructed to turn into an alternative road towards my town.

I ended up being on a special road, which actually relates to my Dad. 30 odd years ago, my father, James Gill (American version of Tajammul) worked as a civil engineer in Central Jersey. As the story goes, one of the roads he helped designed was not assigned any particular name. As a result, they named it after my Dad's last name "Gill" Lane; why not? The engineer could get some credit too : )

So here I was driving and my Dad's name was flashing on my TOM TOM. It was a surreal experience, as my thoughts began to veer into my memories of him of our good times and difficult ones. The Once soundtrack kept on playing (Falling Slowly & When Your Mind is Made Up) and I was reminded of so many things about my youth, my experiences growing up and how many things I didn't know; and hadn't asked my Dad about.

Some things I wish I could have shared with him, if only I could turn back the clock and speak to him about some choices, ideas and perspectives that a young girl at my age could never have known. If I did know, it could have (maybe) helped at the time.

Anyway, reflecting over this was good and has kept me up for another hour (past Midnight) before an early work day.

It is (very) late but somehow I wanted to just share this moment and to be reminded that people we have loved don't ever really fade from our hearts, no matter how much time goes by, as long as we continue to remember. And, although it still hurts to miss my Dad, there is a sense of peace that arises that he somehow hears me and knows.

Peace. Check out ONCE on http://www.myspace.com/oncesoundtrack