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WHEN I GET WHERE I'M GOING
By RIVERS RUTHERFORD GEORGE TEREN RUTLEDGE HILL PRESS
Copyright © 2007 RIVERS RUTHERFORD & GEORGE TEREN
All right reserved. ISBN: 978-1-40160-323-6
Chapter One
THE FIRST TIME I HEARD "WHEN I GET WHERE I'M GOING,"
I remember having the same reaction that countless fans have described to me. I thought about someone I had lost in my life, about the things they must be doing now that their soul is free, and I felt tremendous hope. The song brings on a sense of closure for me, of understanding in the midst of the unfathomable. It sums up the full-circle journey of life like countless songs have done throughout music history, but in a more poetic and beautiful way. Rivers and George have written a masterpiece. This book is a celebration of a piece of art that has consoled people in their grief, graced several memorial services, and brought back fond memories. I personally don't think there has ever been a finer song about this subject. I am honored to have been the person you first heard singing these words.
BRAD PAISLEY
THERE IS SO MUCH TO SAY.
And yet it is hard to know what to say. Words seem so inadequate and too one-dimensional to express sorrow for your loss.
While words may not be enough, it is our hope that the images and sentiments in the pages of this book and in the song that inspired it can bring you some comfort in the weeks and months ahead.
LIFE IS PRECIOUS. LOVE IS ETERNAL.
DEATH IS MERELY A DOOR SEPARATING WHERE WE ARE FROM WHERE WE ARE GOING.
* * *
DON'T BELIEVE FOR ONE MINUTE THAT THIS IS IT-THAT WE DIE AND IT'S OVER. THAT WE ARE BRIEF INHABITANTS OF A PLANET THAT IS NOTHING MORE THAN A SPECK OF DUST AFLOAT IN A VAST, COLD, EMPTY VOID.
THERE IS SO MUCH MORE. WE WILL GO ON FOREVER.
THE UNIVERSE WAS NOT SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE THE IDEA THAT SOMETHING CAN COME FROM NOTHING, NOR THAT SOMETHING CAN COME TO NOTHING.
THE PART OF US THAT PUTS THE SPARKLE IN THE EYE OF A DELIGHTED CHILD, THE LIGHT THAT IS UNIQUE IN EVERY PERSON, THE THING THAT MAKES EACH INDIVIDUAL SPECIAL- IT GOES ON.
WHEN I GET WHERE I'M GOING
ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE SKY
* * *
IT'S ALL PART OF THE JOURNEY ...
FROM THE FIRST BREATH, FIRST SMILE, FIRST STEP, TO THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. FIRST FRIEND. FIRST NIGHT AWAY FROM HOME.
ALL PART OF THE JOURNEY.
THE DISAPPOINTMENT OF BEING CUT FROM THE TEAM AFTER MONTHS OF PRACTICE. THE EUPHORIA OF A FIRST-EVER KISS AND THE REALIZATION THAT THERE IS A LOT MORE TO THE OPPOSITE SEX THAN WAS EVER SUSPECTED. THE BITTERSWEET SEPARATION FROM LONGTIME FRIENDS UPON GRADUATION.
* * *
ALL A PART OF THE JOURNEY.
THE CHANCES NOT TAKEN. THE LOVES THAT WEREN'T PURSUED. THE DOUBTS, THE MISTAKES, THE WOULD'VES, COULD'VES, AND SHOULD'VES. SHAME, REGRET, DOUBT, GUILT, SELFISHNESS.
PAINFUL, BUT PART OF IT.
THE GOOD FEELING THAT COMES FROM GIVING A BOX FULL OF TOYS TO THE CHRISTMAS DRIVE AT CHURCH. THE PRIDE OF BEING HIRED FOR YOUR FIRST JOB. THE FIRST RAISE. THE OLD VW YOU BOUGHT WITH YOUR OWN MONEY. THE TWO WEEKS YOU SPENT TOURING EUROPE.
DEVELOPING A MORAL COMPASS. FINDING FAITH, BUILDING UPON IT, AND DRAWING FROM IT.
ALL PART OF THE JOURNEY.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from WHEN I GET WHERE I'M GOING by RIVERS RUTHERFORD GEORGE TEREN Copyright © 2007 by RIVERS RUTHERFORD & GEORGE TEREN. Excerpted by permission.
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