On the Other Side of a Broken Heart

OK. So I’ll admit it. With the dearth of decent summer television programming, I’ve somehow gotten myself into So You Think You Can Dance. If you can get past all the regular obnoxious competition stuff, which actually isn’t as bad as on sister show American Idol, these dancers are amazingly talented. So last night, one of the dances was choreographed to a song by an artist I’d never heard of. And the lyrics were just beautiful. So I looked it up. Apparently along with a million other people. According to the artist’s Facebook page, before the show had even aired on the west coast, her song was already at #24 on iTunes, and she had become the number 1 google search. She doesn’t have an album out yet, but with her talent, I’d anticipate one soon.

To shift subjects for a moment, I’d like to share some wisdom that was imparted to me by one of the most amazing people that have made an appearance in my life. In high school, I met William ‘Top’ Bozel. He was a retired Marine, and was our drill instructor in JROTC. Top certainly inspired fear in many, but was one of the kindest, funniest men when you got to know him outside of drill practice. I stayed in touch with him after graduation, and even nearly ten years later, I couldn’t run into him anywhere without getting a hug and his dropping his classic line, “You married yet? No? Then I still have a chance.” He was quite the charmer.

Just before beginning my freshman year of college, I got my heart broken. Sure life would never be the same and that nobody had felt the way I did right then, I found Top at Leon High, helping them to establish their Marine Corps JROTC program. He could tell I wasn’t doing so well, and he offered an ear. He sat stoically and silently as I recounted the story of my betrayal and cried. When I finished talking, he looked at me and said, “Let me tell you one thing I’ve learned in my life. THEY ALWAYS COME BACK.” For a moment I thought he meant I’d get my boyfriend back and all would be right in my world again. But he continued, “The best revenge you can get is to live your life and be happy without him. It could be months, it could be years, but they always come back. And by then, you will have moved on and you probably won’t have the time of day for him. But mark my words, he’ll be back.”

I eventually got past my pain, got on with my life and was doing pretty well in my first apartment. Truly having the time of my life! I lived to love again, and yes, to lose again. I didn't hear from my high school heartbreaker for a long time.  But I never forgot Top’s words of wisdom. And one day, quite out of the blue, I got a surprise visitor. I’ll just leave it at Top was right. They do always come back, and the other side of rejection ain't half bad.

That being said, I’ll get back to the song. It’s called “Jar of Hearts” and it is beautifully sung by Christina Perri. The song is about a girl, who got her heart broken, and  has just barely gotten past it when, lo and behold, he comes back. It’s something I think most of us can relate to. And I thought I’d share it with you. Following the video, I have recorded the lyrics. So listen, let me know what you think. And remember, those of you with broken hearts, “they always come back.”



Jar of Hearts - Christina Perri

No I can't take one more step towards you
Cause all that's waiting is regret
And don't you know I'm not your ghost anymore
You lost the love I loved the most

I learned to live half a life
And now you want me one more time


CHORUS:
And who do you think you are?
Running 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are?


I hear you’re asking all around
If I am anywhere to be found
But I have grown too strong
To ever fall back in your arms

I learned to live half a life
And now you want me one more time

(CHORUS)

And it took so long just to feel alright
Remember how to put back the light in my eyes
I wish I had missed the first time that we kissed
Cause you broke all your promises

And now you’re back
You don't get to get me back

(CHORUS)
Don't come back at all

(CHORUS)
Don't come back at all

Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?