Lyrics

A box by the doorstep, golden and wide,
smelled like rain and something fried.
A hint of jasmine, a trace of steel,
like memories wrapped in a morning meal.
Too heavy for heaven, too light for the shelf,
it hummed a tune all by itself.
A shimmer of orange, a glimmer of white
a present containing life.

So now the train is rolling down the track,
no return address, no looking back.
You gave me children, you gave me a wife
the absolute best in this package called life.
You gave me loss and empty chairs,
and devils lurking unawares.
Still I sign: Received with thanks,
and file it with the rest
’cause even sorrow
comes postmarked Blessed.

Oh life, you tricky little parcel,
with your love notes and your bills.
You send me hope in cardboard boxes,
and lessons wrapped in unpaid thrills.
I keep unboxing joy and trouble
it’s the same thing in disguise.

People stab you in the back,
then whisper roses through the door.
They write your name on poison letters,
and kiss the stamp once more.
You mix betrayal with affection,
like cocktails in the rain
and still, I drink it,
again and again.

Sometimes it’s full of feathers,
sometimes it’s full of knives.
But the sender’s always smiling
that’s the rhythm of our lives.

Oh life, you gorgeous little prankster,
painting black and gold on my skin.
You deal me joy and laughter,
then drag me through the din.
You serve me rapture, ruin, fever, fame,
sweet green envy, redhot shame.
You pour me love and loss and wine,
mix anxiety with time.
Still I toast you wild and true
you gorgeous little prankster,
I see right through you.

You’re terrible and wonderful too,
a hurricane painted in gold and blue.
You break me down, you lift me high,
you kiss my heart, then make it cry.

For every scar, you gave a song,
for every wrong, you proved me strong.
You’re beautifully cruel, deliciously wild,
I curse you, I thank you, I’m still your child.

And I’d do it again oh yes, I would,
’cause even the bad feels terribly good.
Better to stumble, to love, to be
than never be gifted this mystery.