After posting my November Clouds photo and post yesterday, a very dear friend sent me this YouTube video early in the morning saying it was a “cloud song to go with my pic.”
Well, I got busy working and didn’t have a chance to listen to it until Charlie and I went for our lunch time walk.
The air was a bit cooler than it has been the past few days, but 55 degrees F is still pretty lovely for late November here in Mars.
So with my iPhone in hand and Charlie leading the way down our usual path, I hit “play.”
I then hit “play” five more times while we walked a few miles.
I had forgotten how much I love this song.
Or did I just realize how much I love this song?
Joni Mitchell wrote “Both Sides Now” in 1967 (I was only 4-5 years old), and recorded it in 1969 on her second album entitled, “Clouds.”
Needless to say, I was a bit young to truly appreciate it at that time. It is, however, #171 in Rolling Stone’s Top 500 greatest songs of all time.
So I listened to the words yesterday – – – over and over – – – and I found such deep meaning, such contentment, such freedom and liberation …
Next month, I will turn 53. Still hard to believe, but I also realize I am on the “other side” of life.
I am obviously past “middle age” as I surely don’t expect to see 106!
And it has taken me a while to believe and “accept” this “stage” of life – this “over 50” stage… But somehow, somewhere, at some point, it all became clear. It all became fine. It all became great!
It all became real and wonderful and the best time of life.
I’ve had my teens and twenties and thirties and every wonderful and not-so-wonderful thing that comes with each of those stages. When 50 came, I mourned it a bit.
I can’t pinpoint exactly when or why or how it happened, but I became content – even happy – maybe happier than ever – with this phase of life.
I’ve seen life and love and even clouds – from both sides now.
And life is clearer.
Life has more meaning.
Life is sweeter.
Clouds are “bows and flows of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air.”
They have also “blocked the sun and rained and snowed on everyone.”
But – “I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now, from up and down, and still somehow it’s cloud illusions I recall. I really don’t know clouds at all.”
And I LOVE that!
I’ve also seen love and life from “both sides now.”
From “give and take”
From “win and lose”
And maybe I don’t have all of the answers….
But I realize that even though “something’s lost…”
there is still….
“something gained in living every day.”
And I am cherishing every single one…
from this side now.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Hmmmmmm……
PS Thank you, Dick! ❤
Well I was in high school in 1967…but don’t we all still feel 16 in our heads? Just don’t look in the mirror too often!
Joni is the best, for all occasions. (K)
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Sure do! I know exactly how you feel! Just try not to look in the mirror too much and all is great! LOL! 🙂
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I agree with your sentiment. I think it’s better because we’ve relaxed our expectations for ourselves a bit. I agree, this stage is the best!
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Yay for embracing where we are! Sending hugs my friend! Thanks for visiting 🙂
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I agree, 50+ is fabulous, and I too flipped the calendar recently and thought I am so good in my own skin, warts and all. This age is all about wisdom and being content, the road we travel makes us who we are and its pretty darn great. Funny I had the same thought, I will not make 110 so I’m way past mid-life! Its all good! Making the most of everyday and living in the moment may be the key!
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Isn’t it a wonderful feeling! A wonderful life! 🙂 I’m so glad you understand and feel the same Cathe!
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Absolutely wonderful! A Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
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Thanks!
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I a 53. I like this part of life and while it is hard to realize that I am “old” I don’t feel old at all. love the song! also I like being “wise” and knowing things from experience!
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You deserve to be happy Lynn! And you have made a wise choice based on your experiences! I am so happy for you! 🙂
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Thanks Jodi! you too!:)
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It’s a shocker really, where have the years gone… 55 next month, where have the years gone…
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Yes – but we have had full lives – right? Cherish each moment! 🙂
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Thanks for sharing that song, Jodi! It is a favorite of mine. I enjoyed reading your thoughts on the words too. ❤️ Sending a bear hug! 💜🐻💛
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Thanks Jill!
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Love that song!! My mom always listened to the Judy Collins version… I liked the music, but had no idea what the lyrics really meant back then. It’s a totally different song to listen to now!
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Awh! Thanks Charlie O. It is like the other day was the first time I heard the words and felt them too! I knew the song and sang along as it was catchy, but now I really found meaning in the words.
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I have several songs like that from when I was younger. Some songs you just have to grow into I guess.
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that is a great way to put it Charlie…. some songs we just have to grow into! Do you have to be so wise too? On top of charming, handsome, artistically talented, and funny?! SHEESH! 🙂
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Sheesh…do you have to make me blush all the time with your wonderful compliments?!! 😊😊 But I have to admit…I love them! 😉😊❤️❤️
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As I always tell people, flattery will get your Everywhere! 🙂
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Same here! 😉👍🏻lol
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What Charlie said! I’m only familiar with the Judy Collins’ version and didn’t even know Joni Mitchell wrote it. I still sing it sometimes. 🙂
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Awh! So glad you enjoyed. As I read your comment, the song is happily playing in my head 🙂
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Love that song. I was a little older than you when this came out but remember it very well. These lyrics are like poetry set to music; I enjoy finding new meaning in them whenever I listen. Thanks for the trip down memory lane..:)
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Does it speak to you differently now than it did then? What a wonderful gift from music – and life!
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Absolutely, I was 18 in ’69. We were a year removed from the King and Robert Kennedy assassinations, Vietnam Nam, protests, Woodstock, etc. it was a crazy time to be a teenager/young adult. So listened to the lyrics then without really understanding what they meant or that everything I would experience in the coming years would make those lyrics more meaningful.
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What a tumultuous time you grew up in! And look how awesome you turned out! 🙂
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Lol…thank you.
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Thanks for your thoughtful post Jodi. Joni Mitchell is one of favorites too. As I’ve heard age is just a number. I had lunch with my best girlfriend of forty years today. We were like too giggling teenagers!
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Awesome! Besties are the best for bringing that out in us – eh? I have one of those two and being together takes me back to being 13 and sleepovers and all of the sillyness that went with it! 🙂
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Lovely post ~ photo, song and sentiment. I’m much closer to 70 than 50 and I still cherish every single day. I feel like the same person I was at 20, without all the drama.
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Yay for you Carol! 🙂 Keep on cherishing!
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What a beautiful perspective on aging! Isn’t it odd that as our bodies begin to deteriorate, our sense of self grows so much stronger? Maybe happiness and contentment are something that only come with time.
But I still think that you can call yourself middle aged. Here’s the way I look at it: the first phase our our lives, (childhood, youth and young adulthood) are from birth to age thirty. The second phase (middle age) is from 30 to 60. The third, and final phase is 60 to 90ish, depending, of course on how long our individual lifespan is. So, by that reasoning, at 53, you are still middle aged!
Thanks for a great post!
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It is a strange thing that it happens that way – eh? I guess it proves how little looks have to do with self-worth… And I think you are right on with the middle age stuff! 🙂
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I remember the ‘Cloud Song’ song as a child, funny how time and experience changes perspectives…I still love cloud watching, and I still “don’t know clouds at all”…great post Jodi…Peace and hugs.
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I like this song much better now that she is older and wiser. She sings it with such pathos and truly knowing what sides of life you can end up on.
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Me too 😊
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Good to know and also agree! 🙂
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