Wedding gifts come in all forms. Last October, my Hubba-Hubba-Hubby and I were blessed with beautiful gifts from our guests. But, one of the most precious we received didn’t come in a pretty box all tied up with ribbon. It came through a song sung to us by our dearest and sweetest Ninja Neighbor.
Now, Ninja Neighbor is absolutely as real as the day is long. She loves laughter and gardening and became a dear friend the day I moved into Winterpast, in April 2020. She was there for VST’s memorial, helping my to get through that very tough day. She’s been there ever since, always happy to be helpful.
Think of the most gorgeous blonde you can, and Ninja Neighbor has her beat. From her beautiful eyes to her long blonde hair and killer smile, she is a knock-out. But, her real beauty comes from deep within, for her heart is pure and sweet. And did I mention? That girl can SING!!!!
She’s often told me that she’d be happy to sing for me at any time, but I never took her up on the offer. And so, for our wedding, she surprised us and dedicated a song to us that I’d never heard. How did she know the lyrics would reflect experiences I had during my four summers as a widow? With each of life’s disappointments, I’d pray, dream, do, build, and write again, always knowing God is great. She knew all this and chose to sing Martina McBride’s song “Anyway”.
Jaws dropped throughout the reception hall because it was a show stopper. Heartfelt, she belted out every note. It was if we’d been transported to a concert by Martina McBride herself, only a million times later. This was a most precious gift meant especially for HHH and me. She will forever be referred to as “The Singer At the Wedding” by family and friends that are still thinking about her performance.
Please take a little time to think about these lyrics and the message they hold. No matter what, Never, Ever, Ever Give Up, because the life, dream, and love are right there for you to snatch, especially when the going gets rough.
Anyway — inspired by the original by Martina McBride
You can spend your whole life building something from nothing.
Life’s storms come take it all away.
Build anyway
You can chase a dream that seems so out of reach.
You know it might never come your way.
Dream it anyway.
God is great.
But sometimes life ain’t good.
When WE pray, it doesn’t always turn out like WE think it should.
Pray anyway.
This world’s gone crazy and it’s hard to believe that tomorrow will be better than today.
Believe anyway.
You can love someone with all your heart and in a second, illness takes them away.
Love anyway.
God is great.
But sometimes life ain’t good.
When WE pray, it doesn’t always turn out like WE think it should.
Pray anyway
You can pour your soul out writing a story you believe in.
Tomorrow, they’ll forget you wrote a word.
Write anyway.
Yeah, write it anyway.
Remember.
Build.
Dream.
Love.
Write.
Pray.
Anyway.
More tomorrow.