song: by our lakeside
- Mar 6, 2024
- 3 min read
The general question that I ask myself when writing these song reflections is what does or did it hold a space for? And as I reperform them and listen to them again, what has changed or evolved from the initial context?
And the context for this song is a bit personal to me, I mean all of them are, but this one, I think there is definitely some resistance and hesitancy to try and label this song. For this song in particular, there is a part of me that will always feel a bit of bittersweet longing? Maybe a fondness? A past warmth, a nostalgia? It definitely is a song that evokes mixed feelings.
By our lakeside was a song that began in July of 2019, with these few lines
I found you by the lakeside
watching the geese as they go by
I wonder where the time has gone between the two of us today
And then in September of 2020, I had finished the song.
Now, with this song, I think the reason why I'm unable to really write or give context right now, is because as I think of my story with this person and our seasons spent together, I don't think we ever gave space to be open and honest with the situations at hand.
Funny enough, why would I want to reflect on and reperform a song that's semi-painful and nostalgic? A part of this journey is to pay homage to my past seasons and headspaces, and when I think about the relationship this song is about, this is across and over 10 years. So, there's just a lot that the person and I have experienced in our seasons of life.
Yes, I am going to admit, this is a happy sounding sweet love song, with a lovely little story talking about finding each other at the lakeside, but also, probably by the way I've described it, it doesn't end as lovely. Just a lot of growing pains mixed with gratitude.
The lakeside as a place holds many different memories. Sunrises by myself, with a friend, longboarding to, walking with friends to, running mornings and more. This lakeside is also a lakeside that I've brought my guitar to, singing originals you've heard in my journey, Ride My Wave was finished at this lakeside.
Even the reference video I used for By Our Lakeside, was performed at the lakeside too. A little picture below from that sunrise morning I recorded By Our Lakeside.
And by our lakeside happens also references memories with this person at the lakeside. Direct references to events throughout time and how time to time, I did really wonder where has the time gone between the two of us. And then after sometime, we had met again at the same place under some health circumstances. It was definitely a full circle moment and that's how I actually finished the song, with the third verse or chorus, with the mention of 5 summers apart.
If I were to answer my question from the beginning with courage, this song honestly holds a space for the growing pains and bittersweetness of the what could've been narrative.
The potential of a love that had missed its timing. A love not for this lifetime. Damn, someone stop me from sounding like an anime or drama plot.
I'm debating on how I want to spin this into an invitation to reflect, and whether pursuing a feel blog is possible.
Honestly, with where my mind is at, I think this will be similar to good ol' times where you reflect on meaningful times with someone, even if things are not the same, or to even reflect on meaningful places or things you've done with someone? Me just trying to stretch it a bit.
i invite you to take a moment and reflect:
is there anyone significant in your life, whether from a past or current relationship, that you'd like to pay homage to not only for the growing pains but also the sunny days? Do you two have a meaningful place or activities that's like being by the lakeside?
this space is open for you to share what you thought and felt from the song or this reflection <3
if you have reached this far, thank you so much for reading and holding a space with me.
Take care always,
MAP2
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