I WAS HERE

by Patricia Cates

Tonight I had the opportunity to attend my seventh grade daughter's end-of-the-year, middle school, choir concert. Many cheerful family, friends & neighbors filled the bleachers in support. It was truly a great evening. The kids were vocally fantastic and cute as ever. The thing that stood out though on this night, was that I was very moved by a particular song. It was for the graduating 8th graders only. For the finale all of the eighth grade choral groups assembled on the stage and stood together for one last song. They sang a song called "I Was Here." 
The room fell silent as these kids sang. With their whole entire futures, and unique potentials and wonderful lives ahead of them....they sang. It was awesome. The song seemed to have an effect on almost everyone in attendance, or at least those paying attention. A tear or two may have been shed.
The words to this song were beautiful and pertinent for the occasion. So I would like to share it with you. Simple enough for a child to understand, yet something we all need to hear, which might be what makes it so sweet.


"I Was Here"

by Kristin Chenoweth

You will notice me
I’ll be leaving my mark
Like initials carved in an old oak tree
Just wait and see

Maybe I’ll write like Twain wrote
Maybe I’ll paint like Van Gogh
Cure the common cold, I don’t know
But I’m ready to start cause I know in my heart

I wanna do something that matters
Say something different
Something that sets the whole world on its ear
I wanna do something better
With the time I was given
I wanna try to touch a few hearts in this life
Leave nothing less than something that says
I was here

I will prove you wrong
If you think I’m all talk, you’re in for a shock
Cause this dream’s too strong
And before too long

Maybe I’ll compose symphonies
Maybe I’ll fight for world peace
Cause I know it’s my destiny
To leave more than a trace of myself in this place

I wanna do something that matters
Say something different
Something that sets the whole world on its ear
I wanna do something better
With the time I was given
I wanna try to touch a few hearts in this life
Leave nothing less than something that says
I was here

I wanna do something that matters
Say something different
Something that sets the whole world on its ear
(I wanna do something that matters
Say something different
Something that sets the whole world on its ear)

I wanna do something that matters
Say something different
Something that sets the whole world on its ear
I wanna do something better
With the time I was given
I know that I will do more than just pass through this life
And leave nothing less than something that says
I was here
I was here
I was here

I think of all the school desks & chairs I've sat in as a youth, where bored teens have carved their names. So what if "Steve was here!" Where is he now? I wonder if he actually left a mark on the world, or if that was it?

I hope these wonderful youth will take to heart the words they spoke. I also hope that we can feel a renewed desire to go out and create! So what is it that you want to do while you're here? Where will you leave your mark on the world? Will it be in written pages? How about on the pages of the story of someone's life? What will it be? What do you want it to be? The possibilities are limitless. 

For those who are curious or fans of hers you can listen to the Kristin Chenoweth song here!