Last week, my lolo turned 100. This week, Orasan turns 7. Not the same length by any means (just about 7% of the way) but itās gotten me thinking a lot about gratefulness.
Orasan was originally written as a song about the need to be remembered. My lola has Alzheimerās, and itās hit the family hard. She still smiles at me when I see her, but she couldnāt come up with our names anymore even a few years back. Always saw this song as us clinging onto her, hoping sheād still have pieces of us wherever sheād go.
Moreso recently, my lolo always makes sure to have her by his side. When theyāre eating, when going outside of the house, or taking their morning stroll. Weād tell him to come with us on a family trip, but he always mentions she couldnāt do it anymore so heād rather stay behind. Weāll occasionally catch him brushing up her hair saying āmy beautiful, Owaā with really nothing tangible in return.
When this song came out, it was never just one meaning. It meant different things to my bandmates, to family, to the people who saw us at shows, and the over 4 million times itās been streamed online. Itās just how songs work when you share them.
Today, when I look at the two of them, and my own life: itās changed a lot for me too.
Itās not just about wishing someone has you in mind when time passes. But itās also hoping that even when you donāt remember, they love you and call you beautiful anyway.
Happy birthday to this song. Thank you for bringing it along with you. I am eternally, eternally grateful.
It feels right that we found our way to each other.
You have been nothing but the kindest, most generous, gut-wrenchingly funny, unwaveringly supportive, and most loving partner on this earth.
I always thought āsoulmatesā was something you had to earn, but you are proof that itās the simplest thing.
I love you. Happy Anniversary @christxne !
Thank you for everything, 2025! Trying to live my life on a Conan OāBrien quote ā āif you work hard, and youāre kind, amazing things will happen.ā
Very big adventures wait for me in the upcoming year. I hope Iām ready. And if Iām not, I will just have to be!
Leaving pretentiousness and cynicism out the door for 2026. Happy New Year! š„³