March 2, 2017 (Thursday)
Many of us are easy prey for nostalgia. One reason older people are inclined to become nostalgic is the fact that we have more memories than young people.
Nostalgic thoughts can be good or bad, or perhaps both words can describe one memory.
These thoughts can be bad if they keep us from living in the present to the fullest extent possible. They can be good if the memories are sweet and uplifting. In fact several scientific studies have concluded that having good memories of the past can actually make a person more optimistic.
In 1938 a Broadway show opened that lasted only fifteen days, but some of the songs in that show are still being sung here in 2017, 79 years later. One of those songs is “I’ll Be Seeing You,” with music by Sammy Fain and lyrics by Irving Kahal. Almost every great recording artist has a popular version of the song. It offered some comfort to families whose members were separated by Depression and war. Some folks discovered it during World War 2 and were consoled by the thoughts expressed in the lyrics. Then in 1944, Bing Crosby recorded it and its popularity soared. Seems like everyone “got into the act” and recorded it.
The lyrics create a fantasy in our minds of seeing people we love in old, familiar places, even though they are not really there in person. “Seeing” is a metaphor and means “having strong memories.” It goes like this: “I’ll be seeing you in all the old familiar places that this heart of mine embraces, all day through. In that small cafe, the park across the way, the children’s carousel, the Chestnut trees, the wishing well. I’ll be seeing you in every lovely summer’s day, in everything that’s light and gay, I’ll always think of you that way. I’ll find you in the morning sun, and when the night is new I’ll be looking at the moon, but I’ll be seeing you.”
Many of us can identify with the song when we think of our loved ones who are no longer by our sides. We are reminded of them by many of the things we see every day. ‘
Our faith as Christians adds another dimension. Not only do we sometimes wish we could see our loved ones who have gone to be with the Lord, but we have the promise in God’s Word that someday we will all gather together around the throne of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and praise Him forever. Will we see you there? Can I say, “I’ll be seeing you?”
If you want to hear your favorite artist sing this song, you can probably find it on You Tube. In the meantime, why not listen to Jo Stafford’s version? Click here.