Dear Ms. Turner,

I have been listening to a lot of Tina Turner lately. Mostly "When the heartache is over" and singing my little heart out. I know this might come as a shock but it has lead me to think about why these songs are written. Yes it has not occurred to me until recently that other people might know exactly what this pain feels like. I am not the only one in the World who has experienced the devastation of heartache, the grief of loss. Its not that I am not aware of other people. That isn't true. I have seen my friends through their share of loss. It's just that heartache can be so isolating. It can feel like you are absolutely alone. Which brings me back to the song. The song wouldn't exist if people didn't truly understand what they were saying. A song doesn't become the theme of a break up if the lyrics are untrue. I might sing this song as loud as humanly possible in hopes that there is truth in the lyrics. I need to believe that "when the heartache is over I won't be missing you". How simple a statement. How cliche. And yet perfect. I have to believe that Ms. Turner knows a thing or two about loss and surviving.
I went out with a couple of coworkers last night for drinks. One of my friends has suffered immeasurably. Her boyfriend of ten years left her for another woman shortly after their second child was born. You can see that she has been wounded but somehow got through it. When she shared this story with me I could see that it was painful. But somehow the pain has eased. There are amazing women everywhere. I see them everyday. I really should take a lesson.