Category: Reflection

Joy in Suffering

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Nearly three years a go, I was here for Francis Chan’s talk about finding joy in suffering. I stumbled upon it today, and it resonated much more boldly. As the reality of facing cancer begins to weigh on my heart, I found great encouragement in sitting back and watching this 50 minute video.

In an era of a church that has hurt so many people, a church that has often strayed away from the simple command to love God and love others, a church that has brought so much pain to those I love dearly– I wish I could apologize face-to-face to each of you, as a Christian, for the pain Christians may have brought you at some point in your life. I struggle with the lack of sensitivity and focus on the Gospel and the person of Jesus in many of our churches today. If each of us truly focused our eyes on Jesus Christ, his words and his actions–how he loves so desperately every person, even those who persecute him–how much different would the church look? Now, many churches articulate this kind of action, but when it comes to actually living out a life that resembles Christ, that’s where you lose people. (At the same time, I am not discounting so many people who are faithfully seeking to follow Christ’s example and are making disciples to do the same…unfortunately, I think the former overrides the latter most of the time.)

When you spend time with Jesus, alone with Jesus, in prayer with Jesus, it is impossible to approach others with anything less than love and compassion. He molds your heart to be more like his. However, even the Scriptures show that those closest to Jesus–those who sought him most genuinely–suffered like him, as well. Still, in every case, it was throughout that suffering that these individuals felt Christ most closely. It was during these moments that the reality of the Holy Spirit became much more apparent.

Jesus is the ultimate comforter, and if life is always comfortable and moving smoothly, why would we ever seek Him? Why would we seek His comfort if we are fine on our own?

In this video, Francis Chan puts it simply:

“I’m not one who wants pain, but I’m one who wants Jesus.”

I resonated with that statement so strongly. I do not want to be going through cancer right now, especially at the start of my law school career, but I do want Jesus. I want to know Him, I want Him to be beside me during all of this, and I want to feel His comfort in a way I have never before. I want my heart to grow closer to His, to become more passionate, to love more deeply and to care about others more intimately.

I empathize and can say that I am adopting apostle Paul’s attitude right now and cannot wait to see how this suffering brings me closer to Jesus:

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christand be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:7-10

Cycling 500 Miles, Law School & Thyroid Cancer

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Seven months ago I began bike training for a 500 mile bike trip that I completed three weeks a go. It was at this time that I started noticing a lump on my neck, because my helmet strap laid across it everyday when I put it on. I didn’t think much of it and focused on my training.

The bike tour was radical. I will never forget riding through the mountains of West Virginia singing John Denver’s song Country Roads.

We rode to spread awareness of modern-day slavery and the reality of this kind of oppression in our world today. We rode to raise money for International Justice Mission, to support their efforts in combating these issues. I wrote this post right before we left, and it shares a little more about why we rode. For more of my updates from the trip, search #IJMFreedomTour on Instagram (@Joyness44) and Twitter (@Lydianess).

One of the last days of the cycling trip, I asked Una, one of the participants on our trip who happens to be a doctor, to take a look at the lump on my neck. She told me to go to the doctor when I got back.

I went to the family doctor initially, and he expressed a little concern. I had an ultrasound over my neck which revealed several small nodules around my thyroid and one significantly larger nodule which looked like a lymph node–all on the right side of my neck. The ultrasound showed that the nodules were in fact solid, so they could not be cysts.

However, he called me and said that sometimes lymph nodes swell up when you get a virus, and to just wait it out a couple more months to see if the larger one goes away or gets larger. This was frustrating because it had already been there for over six months, so I didn’t understand why they thought it would go away now. I was also surprised because my grandma had lymphoma, so I didn’t understand why they wouldn’t at least want to remove the large lymph node that was causing me problems.

The next morning he called me back and changed his mind and told me to go see an ENT. Because I moved close to where I lived when I was very young, I have actually been able to see the same doctor that did minor surgery on my ears when I was very little. He has been awesome. In our initial visit, he was concerned about several things that he felt. He told me that his initial thoughts were either thyroid cancer or lymphoma.

He had me get a biopsy of the large lymph node. They didn’t numb me, because it was supposed to be a quick in and out needle biopsy. However, because of the location of the nodule, they had to try four different times with two different sized needles to get cells that would be useful. It was pretty painful by the fourth time.

I flew to California for a wedding last weekend. Amanda and I went to see The Bourne Legacy at 10 am the day it came out–> we wanted to see it cheaper :). About halfway through, the ENT called me to say that the biopsy showed thyroid tissue in my lymph node, which more or less solidified his concern for thyroid cancer. We scheduled a CT scan for the day I returned from Cali and an appointment to talk about surgery. Amanda and I didn’t finish the movie (anyone want to go? ;).

The CT scan was so interesting. They injected me with dye so they would be able to see contrast better. They told me that it would feel warm and might feel like I was peeing my pants. They were right, and I ended up laughing hysterically the whole time they were doing the scan because it felt like I was (I hope you can picture that–it was pretty entertaining). The CT scan showed a growth on the right lobe of my thyroid, and then at least three other nodules between my lymph node and the thyroid.

I am now scheduling surgery for a full a thyroidectomy and cleaning out of the lymph nodes on the right side of my throat. When I’m under for surgery, they’ll figure out what kind of thyroid cancer it is. I start law school Monday, so this will be an interesting start to the next chapter of my life. BUT, the incision will be a hockey stick shape on my right side of my neck, so maybe I can get sponsored by Nike 😉

There will be follow up 6-8 weeks later to see how things clear out, or if anything remains, and we’ll go from there.

Now, there are several details to take note of:

  • When I had my physical before the bike trip, I forgot to tell the doctor that my grandma had lymphoma, so she did not check out my neck at all. Looking back, I probably wouldn’t have been able to go on this bike tour if they had started testing before the bike trip. I deeply believe that this bike trip was an essential part of my life story, so I also don’t believe this was a coincidence that I managed to forget on that day to tell the doctor a vital piece of family health history.
  • I managed to train for and ride 500 miles across the country with thyroid cancer 😉
  • A month a go, my mom scheduled a visit to Chicago to see me, and little did we know then, that it would happen to be the week that I have finalizing tests before heading into surgery. It is such a blessing to be able to have her here for this.
  • Over the past several months, I had developed an irrational fear of dying young, before getting married, before having a family of my own, before accomplishing my dreams… I know this seems pathetic, BUT it was this fear that prompted me to ask Una to check out my neck. I am a very optimistic person and fears like this never permeate my mind. I truly believe the Holy Spirit prompted me to ask Una.
  • The community of my bike trip has been the biggest God-send. I have been updating them on the process of going through testing of this lump, and they have been steadfast in prayer and encouragement. In fact, they rallied together to fast and pray for me the day of my CT scan, from their various locations around the country. Now that is community. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Above all else, I want to be clear that I am doing fine, that I am surrounded by love and that I am SO thankful for my life and the people in it.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

25 People Cycling for 27 Million Slaves

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“The victims of injustice in our world do not need our spasm of charity; they need our long obedience in the same direction. They need our legs and lungs of endurance.” Gary Haugen, President of International Justice Mission

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I’ve been in Cincinnati, Ohio, since Wednesday evening, preparing with 25 cyclists to ride from Cincinnati to Washington DC. We are riding to raise awareness about modern day slavery and raise money for International Justice Mission (IJM) and their efforts in fighting human trafficking and modern day slavery today.  If you want to learn more about why I am doing the IJM Freedom Tour, check out this post.

Wednesday, three of us were picked up in Chicago with the group driving one of the support vans from Minneapolis, MN to Cincinnati. Training began Thursday and during the last few days, we have learned the story of Venture Expeditions (the organization we are cycling with), and more deeply the vision behind their slogan “Benefit the world. Discover your soul.” I am so thankful for the leadership of this organization and the vision they so vibrantly pursue.

One of the most memorable days was when Karen, our IJM representative, spent the day with us, sharing with us the extent of modern day slavery, and also giving us the most up-to-date information on their efforts combating it. It was also hopeful hearing the impressive growth IJM has experienced in recent years, especially as a non-profit, despite the economy. The organization is so remarkable to me, because they approach global issues with such excellence and diligence. Every angle is taken care of, from rescuing victims of slavery, providing aftercare for those victims to even working on structural reform to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. It is a LONG, grueling process, but they are so committed to every aspect. They really are changing the world.

There are more slaves today than at any other point in history–nearly 27 million children, women and men.

Yesterday was also incredibly challenging emotionally and spiritually. We went to The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and not only walked through exhibits of past slavery, but they had an impressively-moving exhibit about modern slavery. It was incredible.  If you’re ever in Cincinnati, Ohio, I HIGHLY recommend going. It will change your perspective.

Walking to the Freedom Center

Our team at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Tomorrow we embark on our journey to Washington, DC. Cycling nearly 100 miles a day, through the Appalachian Mountains. Please pray for our perseverance and for our cause. Please pray that we remember those we are riding for. If people can be trapped in slavery, if women can be raped daily, if children can be bonded by labor, we can ride 500 miles on their behalf.

Will you support my 500 mile ride for JUSTICE?

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This July, I will be riding my bike with a group from Cincinnati, Ohio to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. (509 miles) to raise awareness and money to fight modern day slavery–> human trafficking, sex trade and other forms of violent oppression.

In addition to cycling, we will have the opportunity to connect with churches and communities along the route, educating them about the realities of modern day slavery and sharing tangible steps we can take in our own lives to bring an end this horrible reality.

Please take a moment to learn about Venture Expeditions, International Justice Mission and how you can support my ride.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

VENTURE EXPEDITIONS

 
The ride is organized by  Venture Expeditions, a community that empowers people to benefit the world and discover their souls through adventure-driven humanitarian efforts.

Their Vision: Benefit the world. Discover your soul.

I will be riding with a group of more than twenty people of all ages and walks of life. Our tour is called the IJM Freedom Tour and you can read more about the specific route and cause here.

Check out this video about Venture Expeditions and their mission:
 


 

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION (IJM)

 
The organization we are raising support for is International Justice Mission. IJM is a human rights agency that brings rescue to victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local officials to secure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to prosecute perpetrators and to ensure that public justice systems – police, courts and laws – effectively protect the poor.
 

Their Vision: To rescue thousands, protect millions and prove that justice for the poor is possible. ™

 
IJM’s justice professionals work in their communities in 12 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America to secure tangible and sustainable protection of national laws through local court systems.

Check out this awesome video about IJM:
 


 
IJM is the reason I am going to law schoolthis fall and pursuing international human rights. My dream is to work for/partner with them one day. I am passionate about what they are doing and the impact they are having in the world.

I have never cycled before, but I have been training for about four months already, and I cannot be more excited about this opportunity. I am so humbled to already be involved in their efforts, even in a seemingly small way.
 

DONATE & HELP END SLAVERY

 
In order to do this ride, I must raise $3,000 for the trip (half of which goes directly to IJM), but I also must finance my new road bike and gear. Total, I need to raise almost $5,000 to cover both. This is a daunting task, but I have faith funds will come in at the right times.

I am hoping that you might consider contributing to this cause and my ride. Most importantly, however, I am asking for your emotional and moral support as I continue to train and prepare for this trip. If you feel lead to help me financially, you can donate to my ride online here. It also has instructions on how to submit via check if that is more comfortable for you.

For donating online, there is a tab called “sponsor a participant,” and my name is on that list:


Thank you for your time and love. If you have ANY questions about IJM or the trip, please feel free to ask!

My Story of Accepting God’s Love

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Growing up I never had a problem accepting the freedom and grace that Christ offers us. I never had any problem understanding his motives, his love, his mercy, his kindness and now I am somewhat ashamed to admit this. While God’s intention is for us to accept and receive his grace and love, I think sometimes we do so too flippantly. Do we fully understand the weight of this gift? I didn’t.

During the last four years, I have learned so much about the character of God, the person of Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. This has been an overwhelming experience. He has given me joy beyond my comprehension and has filled me with a passion to love people and to pursue His kingdom daily. 

“Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly.” Micah 6:8

However, the closer I have come to know Christ–the closer I have come to understanding a glimpse of who He is–the more spiritual warfare I have experienced and the more difficulty I have had to accept this  free grace.

I have become aware of how beautiful it is that in my brokenness, in my pain, in all the ways I screw up, Christ pursues me relentlessly with his love. In my fear, in my uncertainty, he calls me by name and declares his sovereignty over my life. I don’t deserve such love and devotion; I don’t deserve that he desires so deeply for me to know him. I guess that’s why it’s called grace…

Through this acknowledgement and understanding of Christ, the devil has stepped in and tried to strip me down to the core. The past several months I have had days where I am bombarded by thoughts of how disgusting, worthless, selfish and cowardly I am. These thoughts bring me to my knees in tears, crying out to God for forgiveness. I used to think this was God convicting me, but I realize now that it was actually Satan trying to lessen the impact of grace in my life. Many nights he won, leaving me beaten and broken.

“Accepting God’s kindness and free love is something the devil does not want us to do. If we hear in our inner ear, a voice saying that we are failures, we are losers, we will never amount to anything, this is the voice of Satan trying to convince the Bride that the Groom does not love her. This is not the voice of God. God woos us with kindness, he changes our character with a passion of his love.” Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz

A close friend recently told me that when Christ convicts us, it’s to draw us closer to Him, it’s to direct us back to Him. If thoughts of guilt and worthlessness flood my mind and there’s no directing back to God, then that’s not God’s voice. It’s the devil trying to convince me that God will not love me in my sin and brokenness. It’s a lie. Satan is a liar and deceiver, and he will do whatever he can to lessen my understanding and acceptance of God’s free love and grace.

I hadn’t experienced spiritual warfare before, but I can tell you, it’s absolutely real and incredibly painful. However, I can also tell you that part of me feels blessed to experience this, because I believe the devil realizes he’s losing me and that my life belongs to Christ. He’s trying so hard for me to not follow Jesus, but it’s too late, my life belongs to Him.

I now know that when I face these dark days and when I feel like I am not worthy of anything, that this is exactly where Christ comes in. His love, his peace, his grace and his mercy meet me there. He comforts me and reassures me that He will never leave me, or forsake me. He will love me despite my failures, he will be there in my suffering, his promises are true.

It is no longer flippantly that I accept Christ’s grace into my life, for I have a greater understanding of my need for him and how little I am without him. I am more thankful today than ever that he sacrificed everything so that we may live abundantly in him and with him. I will never be the same again.

My time in California is closing.

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This summer, I will be leaving southern California. I have decided to attend the Chicago-Kent College of Law this fall.

This was a very difficult decision for me. While anyone who knows me knows that I have always considered myself a Midwestern girl and never really felt like I fit in the southern California scene, I did my best to remain objective and look at the schools and what they have to offer in my interests.

The entire reason I am going to law school is because I have a passion for international human rights and the dream to work for International Justice Mission one day. After careful consideration, hours of prayer and lengthy spreadsheets 😉 I have come to the conclusion that Chicago-Kent is a better fit for me.

I cannot begin to say how excited I am for this opportunity, and I also am very sad to be leaving several wonderful friendships I have developed during my four years here. However, I am convinced that it’s time to head home, it’s time to knuckle down and continue to discover myself in new ways. It’s time to move. It’s time to take a leap of faith. It’s time to continue to write the story of my life and change the scenery.

It’s a living book, this life; it folds out in a million settings, cast with a billion beautiful characters, and it is almost over for you. It doesn’t matter how old you are; it is coming to a close quickly, and soon the credits will roll and all your friends will fold out of your funeral and drive back to their homes in cold and still and silence. And they will make a fire and pour some wine and think about how you once were . . . and feel a kind of sickness at the idea you never again will be.

So soon you will be in that part of the book where you are holding the bulk of the pages in your left hand, and only a thin wisp of the story in your right. You will know by the page count, not by the narrative, that the Author is wrapping things up. You begin to mourn its ending, and want to pace yourself slowly toward its closure, knowing the last lines will speak of something beautiful, of the end of something long and earned, and you hope the thing closes out like last breaths, like whispers about how much and who the characters have come to love, and how authentic the sentiments feel when they have earned a hundred pages of qualification.

And so my prayer is that your story will have involved some leaving and some coming home, some summer and some winter, some roses blooming out like children in a play. My hope is your story will be about changing, about getting something beautiful born inside of you, about learning to love a woman or a man, about learning to love a child, about moving yourself around water, around mountains, around friends, about learning to love others more than we love ourselves, about learning oneness as a way of understanding God. We get one story, you and I, and one story alone. God has established the elements, the setting and the climax and the resolution. It would be a crime not to venture out, wouldn’t it?

-Donald Miller, ‘Through Painted Deserts’

Beginnings and Endings.

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I haven’t written at all this semester, which shows how crazy life has been. I always find time to write, it’s therapeutic, but I haven’t been able to. So much is developing in my life, I hardly know where to begin.

I have been around the country trying to figure out where I’ll be in school next year. Through various airports, several jet lags and working nonstop in the different time zones, I have caught a glimpse of what my future holds. By the end of this week I will decide to go to school in Orange County or Chicago. I’m very close to a decision.

This season of my life is all about closing old and opening new chapters:

  • In less than one month I will perform my last percussion show of my career.
  • In less than two months I will graduate from undergrad.
  • In less than three months I will move to wherever I will start law school.
  • In less than four months I will ride my first bike tour with Venture Expeditions, 500 miles, to raise money for International Justice Mission! (You can donate to my trip here 😉
  • In less than five months I will start law school.

The Lord has been so faithful to me. I have been overwhelmed by his presence in my life and throughout this exciting journey. He has strategically placed people in my life to speak truth into me, feed me spiritually, emotionally, intellectually and encourage me when I need it most. My relationship with Christ has grown immensely through this semester, and I often can’t put into words how deeply I have experienced his grace in my life.

He has rocked me to the core, stripped baggage off my shoulders and renewed me daily. For this I am humbled, thankful and reassured. As I make my final decision on law school, which will profoundly impact the course of my life, I am confident that I am not alone.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:4-9)

 

Uncertainty and Reassurance

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In four days I will start my final semester of undergraduate studies. The reality has set in that I have no idea what the future holds. Acceptance letters from law schools are starting to come in from very different geographical locations east coast, west coast, Midwest… and at this point I haven’t the slightest inclination as to where I will decide to go. Consequently, I haven’t a clue as to where I’ll be living in six months.

I have become overwhelmed with the uncertainty of the future. I have sometimes struggled with thinking I have been overzealous in the process of getting into schools and planning my immediate future. I still struggle with the ever-present fear of “am I really cut out for this?” and “am I going to be able to accomplish everything I want to?”

 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

This morning I took a moment to reread my personal statement that I sent to the law schools I applied to. It was the reassurance I needed. It was helpful to go back and remember how I got to this point, to sit down and remember the hard work I have put in to get where I am, to regain confidence that I am cut out for this and to refresh myself of the vision I have for the future.

These are the last few sentences of my personal statement…

No matter how life progresses from here, I know that I have a vision and passion to impact the world. I know that my thirst for knowledge and understanding, as well as my love for people, will help me be diligent in law school. I am driven by the reality that I will always have something more to learn, and I hope that someday I can use my knowledge from law school in order to take action at home and abroad.

Newport Beach, January 24, 2012

2011 in Rewind.

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Things I’ll never forget from 2011 (in chronological order):

-Taking pictures of The Rose Parade for Halftime Magazine
-21st birthday
-Taking the LSAT
-Interning for Jenna and Brenda in University Communications and Marketing
-My broadcast class with Stew, especially the women’s protest Jenna, Kayle and I documented for our first package
-Dealing with a broken heart
-My radio class projects and hanging out with Josh from 98.7 FM
-Car rides to RCC with Susan
-RCC “Hope, Dream, Fly”
-Dominican Republic trip and book
-SMU staff retreat
-Creating my Graffiti Project
-Moving into my first apartment
-Melissa coming to California
-Going to Conan O’Brien show with Melissa, Holly and Amanda
-Getting my first tattoo
-Going clubbing with Melissa and Susan
–Conversation with the waiter at Cheesecake Factory
-Living with Jenna Marie
-My students
-Babysitting Seth and Sydney
-Doing the weird, fun “fire dancing” photoshoot with Jimmy
-Working with Brenda
-Watching the Colts with Pam (and being passive aggressive as they fail miserably)
-“That night” with Jenna, Jimmy, David, Daniel, and Joel…yes.
-Getting a third degree burn on my arm
-Writing a 30-page comprehensive paper on the existence of suffering in the world.
-McClain’s late night studying with Jimmy
-Being on the Frank Pastore Show
-Travis passing
-Spending time with Jason and Kelsey
-City and Colour concert with Jimmy
-SMU Marcom staff meetings with Gabby, AJ and Chelsea
-Riding the motorcycle with Dad
-Receiving my first law school acceptance letter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Looking forward to 2012 when I graduate from Biola University, go on the 500-mile bike ride for IJM with Venture Expeditions, move to wherever I’m going to school and start law school!

“Don’t get older; get better:
Live realistically.
Give generously.
Adapt willingly.
Trust fearlessly.
Rejoice daily.”
-Chuck Swindoll

Chick Flicks and Modern Dating

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It has come to my attention that there comes a time in a young woman’s life when chick flicks are no longer the perfect stay-at-home-eat-popcorn-dream-about-the-perfect-soul-mate kind of movies. They are no longer whimsical, lovely depictions of what the future might hold. No. Instead they become stay-at-home-eat-ice-cream-cry-about-what-isn’t-and-what-seems-may-never-be kind of movies.

I enjoy a good love story like any other woman, but this semester has turned chick flicks into the latter scene. OK, so I realize I’m only about to turn 22, but hear me out.

I go to a private school which has frequently been referred to as the Bridal Institute of Los Angeles, and this is hardly exaggerated. People go to Biola and most often leave engaged or already married. It’s everywhere. Like the plague, and interestingly, I’ve found that women are the virus. Many are like animals hunting their prey. They are on the prowl for their mate. They seek him. They find him. They trap him. They marry him. This isn’t the fairy tale I’ve read about, but hey it’s theirs. Women pursuing men relentlessly, zealously seeking their future partner over everything else. Modern? Maybe. Does it work? Yep. Did I miss the memo?

Where does that leave girls like me?  Those of us who want to be pursued. Where do we fit into this picture? We don’t.

After I graduate, I will be moving again. Starting over again, new town, new school, new people, new life. What will that look like? I am afraid to think about it.

I sound pathetic. All I know is that I know what I want, I know what I have to offer, and I know I am worth it. Someday, to someone. I just wish that day was sooner than later.

Make her a flower in late December
When the sun is not shining on her
Write her a love song and play it all day long
To remind her of all that she is worth
Never never leave her
Take her on long drives for ice-cream by sea sides
And give her your coat when she is cold
Tell her you miss her when youre close enough to kiss her
And that youd walk a thousand miles to tell her so
But never never leave her
Take photographs of her on Brooklyn street in October
When her nervous smile is slightly curved
Some days when she is slightly down tell her its okay to frown
It makes you just fall more in love with her
But never never leave her.