The Parting Glass comes on Pandora. I have to stop what I’m doing, still my hands, close my eyes to listen. The ache for heaven is strong today, the longing for a new earth.
I read this song goes back to Ireland and Scotland a few hundred years, sung at the end of gatherings of friends. And the idea of gathering with friends and then singing a song to end the night circles around my soul and captures a longing I can’t put into words.
And I wonder, as I listen, if I might have a disorder. Do I really know how to celebrate? Do I really understand the connection of community? Sometimes I wonder if I’ve ever truly touched the deep. Then I question if my hunger for authentic connection is unreasonable. The questions wear me out.
Hazelnut cream turns my coffee latte brown. Hers too. She knows how to celebrate. I take notes. We sit for a while, hands wrapped around the warm cups, children running through our own kind of play as we talk about things past and things to come.
This feels like home.
The dishes sprawl themselves out in my sink, waiting for the hot soap and rushing water. Friends came last night and we shared a meal and our lives, all our kids laughing loud in the kitchen. We talked over their silliness, held tight to story-lines and connection even through the noise. I loved every minute of it.
We need to do this more often. Why don’t we do this more often?
The problem isn’t that I don’t want to know you. The problem is that I forget how much, I forget to ask, I forget to circle the date on the calendar and plan to see you then.
As they pulled away from our house last night, I knew they would be home in less than two minutes. The tune weaved its way through my heart to my lips as I stacked the dishes and found the jammies for our kids.
“Of all the money that ere I had, I spent it in good company.
And of all the harm that ere I’ve done, alas was done to none but me.
And all I’ve done for want of wit, to memory now I can’t recall.
So fill me to the parting glass. Goodnight and joy be with you all.”
Your writing takes my breath away! Catching up with good friends this week in THREE different luncheon dates! Oh, the joy of having dear, dear friends! Thank you for your good thoughts this morning! Love your words and sentiments!! Karen ~ Chardon, OHIO
What a lovely song. I love the harmonies. I always have a good time having friends over…I think it is the work involved in making what I perceive needs to be perfect is why I don’t do it very often.
Lisa´s last [type] ..That Little Red Car
Oh Emily – a beautiful post this morning! You captured so well my same longing for heaven and the authentic connection with friends! I happened to read your bio in full this morning and now I realize why your postings resonant with me, so much. Sarah Masen fan! I haven’t listened to Sarah’s work in many years, but I completley remember her debut disc and how I wore it out on my CD player! Now you’ve given me the push to catch up with Sarah’s work! Here’s to kindred spirits! Blessings on your day, Emily!
Wow. What a hauntingly beautiful song. I had never heard it before, but, wow, it’s instantly one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing your thoughts – yes, I’m planning a lunch date for next week, thanks for the reminder to do it!
Katie´s last [type] ..Like I Said…
A beautiful song. I had never heard it before this morning.
Today on a day when I am missing just such gatherings with my friends.
Thank you.
I don’t know how you always manage to speak my own heart – but you do, time and time again. I have been thinking those very same things. I’m meeting friends for lunch on friday – but they called me. I have gotten far too content in the quiet of my own self. This is where I’ve been thinking deeply about the time spent on-line – knowing that far too often it has become a substitute for the real.
Thank you Emily – always thank you.
Linda´s last [type] ..Looking to Jesus
sigh…..I hear ya loud and clear.
Sheila´s last [type] ..Brownie Batter Ice Cream
the words to that song are so beautiful, Emily! I love the depth of honesty in this post. I yearn to connect with others and “live life together” like the early church did, but when it comes down to it, I just don’t do it. I want to learn to push past the busyness and the fear of hospitality and learn to serve people and build community. It’s always such a beautiful payoff! Anything worthwhile requires sacrifice, not matter how small it may seem
Caitlin´s last [type] ..Life Update
This is a breathing post. A good one. I am so glad to get to sit with you here, for just a few minutes, and sing the song, and remember together the important things. I’m thinking of ways I can make my house a Kinfolk world. *grin*
Kelly´s last [type] ..Behind the Lens | Confessions of a Purse-Packing Photographer
beautifully put, emily!
i don’t think i truly understood the IMPORTANCE of connection and community until we moved 800 miles away from all we knew~ then. i realized it’s the people in your life – those kind of sitting around singing together at the end of the night moments, that matter most. i thought i knew that before. but, not really.
blessings on the rest of your week.
crazy to think it’s august already, eh?
amber@gracetobe´s last [type] ..Wednesday, August 01, 2012
I will treasure this post forever. Thank you Emily. May you have many more lovely times with friends and family – glimpses of heaven!
Terribly beautiful. Leaves a longing.
xoxo,
Erin
Erin´s last [type] ..Showing Up
I haven’t heard that song in so long…I adore it! I’ll have to dig it up…
I know exactly what you mean about not having people over enough: I put a number on my New Year’s resolution list, and stuck to it well and my family reaped benefits of a full house…until first trimester and nausea and summer and life hit. But that’s really no excuse.
Time to get out my calendar…
Michelle´s last [type] .."Your home is so beautiful"
beautiful. all of it
Breathtaking! Thank you for introducing me to this stunning melody. Your post today reminds me why I chose to follow you in the first place. I would love sharing a cup of coffee with hazelnut cream with you while listening to our children play happily in the background. Seems peaceful, relaxing, still and quiet to share a moment like that with a friend. I have had the pleasure of many moments like this with dear friends. Now, I will know the melody that captures those moments so well. Thank you again for sharing this precious thought.
jana´s last [type] ..churches break too
I long for it too. All of the above. We hosted friends for an overnight last weekend and I thought it then, why don’t we do this more often. Come, Lord Jesus.
Tracey´s last [type] ..For the Love of Carrots
smiling…
Amy´s last [type] ..Our Family Room
Good one. It’s so true, isn’t it? We want to connect but on so many levels we don’t. It’s that tug of war thing.
Kerry @ Made For Real´s last [type] ..On social graces…
Growing up my parents always had large family gatherings – maybe a dozen uncles and aunts and over 20 cousins – usually we would end the evenings with singing of Psalms – often in 4 part harmony! I just thought of it as normal, but looking back realise it was a special time. Didn’t know it was a particular irish/scottish tradition, but that makes sense! Our family would be of scots-irish heritage
Emily, I love your honesty. We have all missed reconnecting from time to time. This serves as a great reminder to get back to that.
Thank you,
Ginger
Ginger Wade (@heresmycuplord)´s last [type] ..Shame
Such a beautiful song. Your thoughts make me long for that fellowship.
Southern Gal´s last [type] ..I’m a Red Faced Runner
I always feel a sense of uneasiness before a gathering with friends and feel so much joy and peace afterwards. Thankful when God gives me that courage to not let that uneasiness keep me from those blessings.
A reflection of my heart.
Beautiful blog.
Nikole Hahn´s last [type] ..Anonymous Blogger: United Nations
Such words of truth in that song. One of my favorites. I finally managed to have lunch with a friend this past week, she lives in the next town. The last time I saw her was last fall. I try to blame life, but is it really life?
Jess´s last [type] ..Hi! My name is….