Fingers Crossed for The Ghost

If you read my blog on a regular basis, you know that Ruth stops in my life from time to time.  While I believe her spirit is always near one of us, we don’t always recognize her presence.  Several weeks before the show, BZ told me of a night that Ruth visited her.

Elizabeth was having trouble sleeping, so she got up.  As soon as she hit the hallway outside her bedroom door, she could smell her mom’s perfume.  I don’t know if she was surprised, or not, because we’ve come to expect the unexpected.  In fact, we welcome it.

She walked further into the house and the scent grew stronger.  She thought she saw a shadow dancing beneath the moon.  Sutton woke up and joined her.  Elizabeth asked Sutton if he smelled the perfume.  He didn’t, and said, “It must be ghost perfume.” Shortly after, he returned to bed.  The scent stayed with Elizabeth until she fell asleep.

The next morning, as they were walking their dogs, Sutton directed Elizabeth to “Give me a word”.  He wanted to write a new song and he was seeking his wife’s support.  Simple words and phrases inspire people to write.  Song writers, poets, and yes, even blog writers sometimes find their inspiration in other people’s words.

Elizabeth offered two.  Ghost perfume.  When Sutton asked where she came up with those words, she recounted their conversation from the night before and Ruth’s visit.  Sutton didn’t remember any of it, but he loved the words, and he wrote this song.

The Ghost’s Perfume

The dancin’ light, in the middle of the night

Tell me was it her or was it just the moon?

Cause I feel like she’s here, and I know that she’s near

I can tell, by the smell of the ghost’s perfume

Been a year or more, since she walked through that door

What I would give to see her one more time

We’d laugh and cry, I’d look her in the eye

And tell her that everything’s alright

Now the vail is thin

She follows where I’ve been

And now she’s here somewhere in the room

The dancin’ light, in the middle of the night

Tell me was it her or was it just the moon?

Cause I feel like she’s here, and I know that she’s near

I can tell, by the smell of the ghost’s perfume

Everywhere I look around, there’s an image or a sound

That convinces me that all of this is true

I just want to call and say “I love you”

No chance to say goodbye, can she hear me when I cry

I hope she sees how much she means to me?

When the love is real the people never die

:

The dancin’ light, in the middle of the night

Tell me was it her or was it just the moon?

Cause I feel like she’s here, and I know that she’s near

I can tell, by the smell of the ghost’s perfume

Though It’s comforting, it stings like an open wound, yeah.

And I hope that the ghost don’t leave too soon

It’s written from Elizabeth’s point of view, but from Sutton’s heart.  That’s where words of inspiration come from.  Your heart.

The Ghost’s Perfume made its public debut at 7:35 p.m. on October 27, 2023.  It was the second song in Sutton’s seven-song set. He could have chosen to sing it first, or last, or not at all, but it was his second song and exactly thirteen months to the minute since Ruth’s accident.  You can’t make things like this up.

Today marks two years and seven months since Ruth’s been gone.  I think about her every day, and most days lose more tears. I miss her but know she’s still around for me. I see her everywhere in both of my homes, things in nature that I never saw before because I just didn’t pay attention, and the music I listen to.

She whispers in my ear some nights and tells me to move on, but I never dream about her.  She’s been helping me change my life in a number of ways.  I’ve altered my diet, I’m getting stronger, making new friends and looking forward most days rather than back.

When we lose the physical presence of the people we love, we still carry them with us.  We help keep their memory alive in the songs we sing, the words we write, but most importantly our hearts.  That’s where they live forever.  No one can take them away.  No one should.  And I don’t think anybody wants to.  We all have our own moments to carry and cherish.  That’s just a part of living.

They plan to live stream Sutton’s event on Tuesday.  You’ll note that I call it “Sutton’s event” because I don’t care about anyone else.  I know they’ll have friends and family rooting for them, so I don’t need to.

One thing for sure.  Sutton’s the only one with a ghost in his corner.  Whether they hand him the award, or not, he already won.

The Ghost’s Perfume (youtube.com)