“Nothin’ lasts forever. And we both know hearts can change. And it’s hard to hold a candle. In the cold November rain.”
If you recognise these lyrics – maybe even hum along – you are officially old, just like me. For those of you who are younger: this is part of the Guns N’ Roses song ‘November Rain’ – an amazing 9 minutes of music about heartbreak and loss with an awesome guitar solo right in the middle.
Why November Rain? – Because, let’s be honest: November can be a horrible month; it’s cold and dark and wet, you are likely to be tired or ill or both – and the thought of Christmas is either stressing you out or still miles away (that would depend on how much you like Christmas). You can combat it with warm clothes and ginger-tea or by decorating your house with scented candles and plush pillows – but really November will always remain a gloomy time of year. Which is exactly why Axl Rose used it as a metaphor for his emotional turmoil when he wrote the song.
November also means that the Church year is coming to a close, and with that, we take some time to remember those we have lost and reflect on how they have made our lives richer and better. Here at Rossall, we took some time on Wednesday evening to come together and ‘Remember & Reflect’ together with members of the Wellbeing Team and the Chaplaincy. And while that is rather a sad experience, it is also one that makes you realise that you are not alone in your sadness.
Axl Rose just sang about heartbreak rather than loss when he noticed that ‘nothing lasts forever’ – but he is right in that it is really hard to keep shining when you are in the midst of cold and icy weather – both literally and metaphorically. It is important to keep in mind that, while we are heading into lovely Advent- and Christmas preparations, there are those who might need a hug or two at this time of year.