This holiday season, I found myself reflecting on the connections that shape our lives—family, friends, and the moments that bring us together. A few old friends reached out over Christmas, and even though we don’t see each other often, those conversations reminded me of how strong our bonds remain, even across time and distance.
At this stage of life, in my mid-60s, these thoughts carry a different weight. My children are now middle-aged adults who have found their place in the world. Any need for me has long passed, but I still feel a quiet pride and joy in watching them navigate their lives.
Becoming a grandparent has brought back memories of my own grandparents, who I lost when I was still quite young. Realising that I’ve already outlived some of them, or am close to doing so, is a sobering thought. Their love and wisdom still echo in my heart, even if our time together was short.
Over the years, I’ve faced the loss of one parent, all of my uncles and aunts, and a few friends. I’ve also completely lost touch with some people who were once close. This is life, and it’s not always easy. Some relationships are fractured in ways I don’t fully understand, while others have been strained by betrayal or disagreements. Like everyone, I have my own challenges, but these experiences remind me how important it is to hold onto what truly matters.
Family has also changed across generations. In my generation, we had 11 cousins, in my children’s generation there were 7, and now in the next, it looks like there may only be 3. It’s a worrying trend. Will we have a legacy that endures? These questions linger, especially during times of reflection, but they also remind me of how precious these connections are and the importance of nurturing them.
Friends, too, have been on my mind. Many of us live far apart, and while we might not speak often, when we do, it feels like no time has passed. Those moments of reconnection are a reminder of the laughter, the shared adventures, and the support that shaped us.
What strikes me most is how universal these feelings are. Though our circumstances may differ, many of us reflect on the same things—on love, on the relationships that endure, and on the memories of those who’ve touched our lives.
These reflections inspired me to write The Ode to Absent Family & Friends. It’s a song that celebrates those connections and honours the passage of time. It’s about remembering the love we’ve shared and finding gratitude in the ties that hold us together, even when life scatters us in different directions.
As we move into 2025, I want to wish everyone good health and happiness. May the new year bring you joy, cherished memories, and time with the people who matter most.
I hope this song resonates with you and your own reflections.
Cheers, Colin 27 Dec 2024
Ode to Absent Family & Friends
I sit by the fire as the night settles in,
The echoes of laughter, where life had been.
Through generations, the stories flow,
A thread of connection in the hearts we know.
Grandparents' wisdom, soft and clear,
Memories of love that linger here.
Though distance grows and time moves on,
The ties remain, the bond is strong.
Raise a glass to the lives we’ve known,
The roots we’ve planted, the seeds we’ve sown.
Through the years, their love remains,
A thread that binds through joy and pain.
Now as a grandfather, I’ve come to see,
The circle of life flows endlessly.
My children chart their own wild seas,
While I watch and marvel, quietly.
Friends who’ve drifted, friends who’ve stayed,
Each one a chapter in the life we’ve made.
Though miles may part us, the ties don’t fray,
They live in my heart in a timeless way.
Raise a glass to the lives we’ve known,
The roots we’ve planted, the seeds we’ve sown.
Through the years, their love remains,
A thread that binds through joy and pain.
To the stories told by firelight glow,
To the waves that carried us where we’d go.
To the hands that held us, steady and strong,
To the songs of life where we all belong.
Raise a glass to the lives we’ve known,
The roots we’ve planted, the seeds we’ve sown.
Through the years, their love remains,
A thread that binds through joy and pain.
In the stars above, in the ocean’s roar,
Their voices linger forevermore.
Raise a glass, let the memories flow,
To the hearts we cherish, the love we know.
Raise a glass, let the memories flow.
