I read some words from George Strait That stopped me in my tracks: "If you don't leave your past in the past, It'll ruin what you have." "Look at what's in front of you, Not what yesterday took away. The best is yet to come," he said— And I thought about my year that day. Because I've spent so many hours Trying to understand what's gone, While everything in front of me Has quietly carried on. I won't pretend the past didn't hurt. I won't say that I don't care. But yesterday took enough from me— I'm not giving it what's still here. No! The best is yet to come. There's a little boy who calls Nana, Just to tell me, "I love you." A granddaughter building her little school, With a thousand things to do. There's another counting down the days Till our family boards that ship, New England leaves and finish lines Waiting on another trip. There are children who kept loving us, Grandkids growing much too fast, And I don't want to miss what's happening Because I'm staring at the past. George was right— There's too much life in front of me To keep looking behind. So many little arms around my neck, So many little hands in mine. There are oceans left to sail across, Autumn roads we're going to see, And the man I've loved for 17 1/2 years Always right there next to me. Leaving the past in the past Doesn't mean I close the door. If someday hearts come home again, There's room for something more. But I won't stand there watching, Missing everyone who's here. I won't trade today's laughter For another yesterday tear. I can hope without waiting. I can love without looking back. I can keep the good we shared Without living in what we lack. So George was right— Look at what's in front of you, Not what yesterday took away. And goodness, when I look around, There's so much here today. There's a cruise ship on the horizon, New England dressed in gold, Grandkids with a million stories Just waiting to be told. FaceTime and Facebook messenger for kids Sleepovers close to home, Grandkids piled in for the weekend, Making memories of their own. There are Discovery days together, Thanksgiving Point still left to roam, And a thousand little moments That can happen close to home. A Labor Day luau, November concerts, Hawaiian sunsets waiting for me, Sixteen days across the ocean, Then the Cougars out at sea. But some of the best that's waiting Won't need tickets, plans, or miles— Just another night with Rick beside me, In the home that makes us smile. Maybe seventeen years from now I'll look back and finally know: The past was worth remembering, But there's a time to let it go. Yesterday took enough from me. It doesn't get today. So George was right— Look at what's in front of you, Not what yesterday took away. And goodness, when I look around, There's so much here today. There are grandkids growing up with us, There are places still to go, There's Rick beside me laughing, And memories we don't yet know. Many more years still waiting To become a life we've never known. The past is worth remembering, But it isn't where I'll stay. Yesterday took enough from me. It doesn't get today. So thank you, George, For saying what I'm finally ready to hear: Leave the past where the past belongs. Look at what's in front of you. And after the worst and the best of this remarkable year... I believe you. The best is DEFINITELY yet to come.
