My Lesson From Jay

Cast

1. Jay
2. Young N

3. N2 (Fatherly voice)

4. Older N

5. Girl

*Camera view*

Scene (S): *Pan view of house then to bird cage (Windows full of sunlight would be nice). Some soothing music playing in the background*

Narrator (N): We once had a pet bird named Jay. Jay was a little on the wild side. We never really played with her much, as we couldn't let her out of her cage in fear that she would take off.  So we tried to tame her. We tried for the longest time. 

S: Feeding Jay. Attempt to play with Jay. *Cut different scenes together with soft transitions*

N: She would chirp all through the night until one day we decided to let her go free...

S: Outside the house during evening holding bird cage *Focus on N's face*. Opens bird cage and let's bird fly free. *Follow Jay as she flies off* *slow focus back to N's face*

N: I remembered something profound my father told me that day. He said,

N2: Sometimes you have to let someone go before you can truly appreciate the moments you shared together. And if that someone truly belongs with you, she'll find her way back.  Jay was never ours to tame, but she knows she has a home here and if she ever comes back, we'll take her back.

N: But she never did.

S: *Transition from Young N to Old N starring in the sunlight. Change music to something more alarming, but sad.*

N: Years passed and I forgot that lesson.

S: Argument with girl.  *Take scenes from both sides. Hands flinging. Close up on both faces. Normal view as well*

N: Sometimes I didn't even want to remember it.

S: On the phone arguing. *cut scenes from both sides*

N: It got bad. Very bad. But I was too stubborn to think that the lesson from Jay would apply in this situation.

S: Argument again than girl slaps N. *Again take scenes from both sides. Close up to girl as she slaps N.*

N: It was so bad I needed that slap to wake me up. I realized the true meaning of my father's words, but it was too late.

S: Girl storms to car and drives away. Cut back to N looking helpless. *From N's back as she walks to the car and enters. Girl's face through the car window. Car as it moves away to reveal N left standing there. Fade back to N's face*

N: My father said that sometimes you have to let someone go before you can truly appreciate the moments you shared together. And if that someone truly belongs to you, she'll find her way back. 

S: *Focus on N's face and slowly darken like sunset.* 

N: And I held on to those words.

S: *from N's back so we can see the gate* as Girl walks backs in and gives N a hug. *fade to black*

N: And that was my lesson from Jay

Still You Forgive

Verse 1:

Another Sunday morning

The congregation's singing

My hands are raised to the sky

To praise the God on High

But with these same hands I raise

Do I worship with all my days

Or is this just for the weekends

I lift my empty...

Chorus:

How can I stand among the Chosen

And eat with the Redeemed

When the shame has overridden 

And the guild cannot be dimmed?

How can I walk among Your people

When my faith and work don't tally?

Oh, Lord, my life is but a ripple

Will You come and rescue me?

Will You come and rescue me?

Will You come and rescue me?

Verse 2:

You know my walk is broken

You know what I've forsaken

And though my knees break down before You

Why do I fail my follow through? 

Bridge:

Still You forgive

Still You forgive 

Still You forgive

And for You I will live

I am Glad to be Count Among the Blessed

I am glad to be count among the blessed

I rejoice to stand in His righteousness 

For God's love is so great

That He choose to clean my slate

I am glad to be count among the blessed

I am glad to be count among the saved

Made able because He rose from the grave

What great an act of love

That God would leave His throne from above

I am glad to be count among the saved

I am glad to be count among His sheep

To have my sins laid down at His feet

To be wholly set apart

To be changed completely from the heart

I am glad to be count among His sheep

What love is this?

This love of His

He gave His own, to buy my release

He gave His life

To end my strife

He saved my soul from sin's deadly knife

I am glad to be count among the called

I'll carry my yoke and not be appalled

Sand me I will go

Where You'll lead me, I will follow 

I am glad to be count among the called

More than a Legacy

A path has been set; a course set in motion,

A paving of the way into the vastness of the ocean

From one generation to the next; from man to son

The hammering of the stone as its flashes sung.

Next to a brother and a sister; next to the multitudes of humans

Between expectations and freedom; maturity and innocence,

A space of peace and rest – of sweet quietness

With the noises of the people before us – their whispers turn to shout

With the plea from those behind us – their lips move about

Each day is planted from the start; each day is set in stone

For time is no man’s friend, and waits for none alone.

How can we take our daily steps if not for those before?

For if they hadn’t did what they did, how could we endure

The sweat of the brows of history-men is buried in our soil

It is their sacrifice that saved us all from the death and toil

How can we choose to leave this land when we were indeed so blind?

How can we choose to walk away and leave those left behind?

Weren't we purposed for something more than rummaging what we see?

Weren't we meant for something great that will leave a legacy?

Heroes of the past have gone before us and the future lies ahead

Now we ask what we’ll leave behind when we are also dead

Can we say with heads held high that we have done all we could

Or hide in shame and guilt when all we did was stood.

Is there a point for finding treasure when life is wasted away?

Is there a point to mining gold when a child can’t see the light of day?

Is there a need for fancy toys and energy that we spend?

Is there a need to scorch the trees when it itself can’t defend?

We can’t turn back what’s done; time waits for not even one

But we can make a change and leave something to our sons

What is an inheritance of notes when there’s nothing left to buy?

What is an heirloom of stones when the people need to die?

The question remains of what we leave for those who come after

A happy home of joyous sounds with the air full of laughter

Or a future filled with nothing more than cloudy disaster.

What are we leaving to those behind, what will they open their eyes to see?

That what we left behind for them is much more than a legacy.

As the nation stands in shifting soil and the cries of change are heard
Are we answering the call to move our feet and face this coming flood?
Do we dare to stand our ground and stand with heads held high
Or do we waste the blood of the history-men and let their legacy die?

A call to vote is a call for the future, and it is here you must make your stand
Do we hide in our homes afraid of it or do we stand strong hand-in-hand
The past remains the past, let us now look on to our future
Let us choose and make our mark on who would lead the next chapter

Let not the fear of oppression and the likes bar you from your way
Let not the seed of empty promises lead your path away
Let not the people of power turn your mind with amazing delights
Let not the sounds of riots make you throw away your rights

What are we leaving to those behind, what will they open their eyes to see?

That what we left behind for them is much more than a legacy.

Originally published on 28th November 2012

Revised on 30th April 2013

Journey's Mercies

Few days from now, you’re moving on

Flying off into the horizon

Off to experience a whole new world

With new things to see; new things to learn.

I guess I wish you the best

May God grant you peace

And when you’re overwhelmed

May He grant you release.

May the grace of His love

And the blessings from His hands

Help you to find

His great gift of friends

Those that He’s given

And those that He’ll send.

When you’re settled down, please don’t forget me

Let me know you’re safe and sound

Let me know that you are happy

Seek me out when you feel down.

Limbo

I had my life worked out; I had it planned to the end

I had no worries, no doubts; nothing I couldn’t understand

But you had to come with your beautiful smile

And throw a stone into my plans

And now I’m stuck in limbo

And I don’t know where to go

You could have made it easy

But you didn’t make it so

So am I chasing rainbows or chasing blue moons

Can we be together in this crowded big balloon?

My heart is a mess but you hold the key

Are you gonna try to fix it or just let it be?

I’m here in the crossroads and I’m running out of time

Should I let you go or make you mine?

Can you open your mind and show me a sign?

You threw in a spanner, and my heart skipped a beat

You lit up a fire and cranked up the heat

But your words are vague but leave me speechless

How do you pull of such a feat?

Letting Go

Letting Go

Characters:

Boyfriend: Nathan

Girlfriend/conscience: Jane

Friend: Bryan

New girl: Sarah

Synopsis:

The whole scene is shot from the perspective of the girlfriend.  The girlfriend has been in a fatal accident and acts as the “conscience” of the boyfriend.  The whole time the boyfriend is oblivious to the girlfriend’s existence because…well, she’s a ghost.

Scene:

House scene.

Boy wakes up from bed.  On the other side of the bed, the girlfriend stirs as he sits up dazed.  She sits up next to him and cuddles him from behind.

Jane:

Why do you look so blur this morning? It’s a great sunny day. Look at the sky! It’s so bright. Can you hear the birds singing? It’s your theme song for the day! Go!

Scene:

Boyfriend suddenly jumps up from the bed and heads to the bathroom.  Girlfriend falls back on the bed.

Jane:

Hey!

Scene:

Jane stands outside the bathroom fidgety.  Then she hears crying and she rushes into the bathroom to find Nathan in tears.

Jane:

It’s okay. I’m here. Nate, I’m here. Everything’s fine. 

Scene:

*cut scene* Nathan is dressed in going out clothes and starts leaving the house. He enters his car with Jane sitting in the passenger seat.  Nathan looks into the car mirror and wipes more tears from his eyes as he turns on the engine and drives off.  Scene switches alternatively from passenger to driver.

Jane:

Look at the time *points at the car’s clock which says 9:02* we’re gonna be late again, Nathan. Why have you been acting strangely these past few weeks? Ever since the accident, you haven’t been yourself.

Scene:

Show flashback of car accelerating into another car/barrier

Jane:

I told you, it was not your fault. It was just an accident. You have got to start letting go and move on.  There was nothing you could have done.

Scene:

Nathan looks at the road and slams the breaks.  He almost crashes into a car. 

Nathan (crying):

I CAN’T DO THIS ANYMORE! I can’t do this without… I can’t live with this guilt. There was so much I could have done, Jane. SO MUCH! I should have paid more attention to the road. I can’t do this. I can’t do this. *rests head on the steering wheel. 

Jane (crying):

Yes, you can. Listen, Nathan, you can move on. I know you’re stronger than that.  I’m alright.  I’m not hurt anymore.  You’ve got to let go, Nathan. I can’t be here forever you know. Now, wipe up those tears and get to the mall, he’s probably already there. 

Nathan:

I don’t want to meet him…I just want to be alone. I’m sorry…

Jane:

Oh, enough already! Nathan Lee Jing Wen! I’ve had enough of your sob story. You got to be the man, and man up. Bryan is waiting for you. See *indicates the phone* He’s calling you already.  Now, let’s clean this face of yours up and maybe you’ll meet a pretty girl there. *smiles*

Scene:

*cut scene* Café scene.

 Nathan and Jane walk into a café and sees Bryan.  Bryan welcomes them to sit down.

Bryan:

Nathan! Long time to see, bro *shakes hand but ignores Jane*. So how has things been, man?

Nathan:

Well, it can’t get any worse right?

Bryan:

C’mon la, dei. It’s been months since that happened.  You know that letter she wrote you right? She told you…

Nathan:

…to start letting go and start moving on. I know, but I keep on thinking that…

Bryan:

Do I have to slap you to your senses for you to wake up? You are not the only one that misses her.  But we all knew that she always tried to prepare for anything.  She wrote you that letter not for you to go all emo all the time. She wrote you that letter so that you’ll have closure.  And she wrote me a letter to make sure you move on…

Scene:

Bryan looks over Nathan’s shoulder and smiles.  Nathan turns around to see Sarah walking towards them.

Bryan:

*as Sarah approaches* Nathan, you remember Sarah right?

Nathan:

*gives Bryan a stare* Yea. Hi, Sarah. *shakes her hand*

Sarah:

Hi Nathan

Jane:

*nudges Nathan* Ooooo, she’s pretty pretty. I knew I could count on Bryan.

Bryan:

Well, would you look at the time? I know. I know. I’m a terrible matchmaker right? Well, that can be your first conversation as you guys start making your way to the cinema for your show. *takes out two ticket stubs and hands them to Nathan.* Oh, Sarah, don’t worry about transport, Nathan has so kindly volunteered to send you home after the movies. *Nathan gives another stare* Don’t look at me like that, Nathan, it’s not attractive at all.  Now go get going, your movie starts in five minutes!

Scene:

Bryan runs away leaving Nathan and Sarah together with Jane.  Nathan and Sarah walk side by side out of the café and Jane follows behind.  They reach a road and Nathan and Sarah cross it.  Jane stops at the sidewalk.  *camera zoom on Jane’s face as she smiles*

Jane:

Take good care of him, Sarah. *Jane fades*

Scene:

*cut scene* Nathan’s room.

Nathan is reading the letter from Jane. *camera scrolls letter as theme song silently plays as Jane’s voice reads the letter.

Letter:

“Hey Nathan, I guess things didn’t turn out as it seemed.  I know you’re going through a hard time now, and I know you’re probably hurting.  I know that you are going through a difficult time and all I have to say is that I’m sorry.  I’m sorry we can’t go on all those fantastic trips we planned. But most of all, I’m sorry that I left you just like that without warning.

I want you to know now that you can’t change the past. What happened has happened. There was no way you could have prevented this from happening – even the weather forecast isn’t always right.  Now you have to be strong okay? You have to move on.  I want you to learn to let go. I know it’s not going to be easy but you have to. 
Promise me that you won’t blame yourself for this.  Promise me that you won’t stay forever in that abyss that you go whenever something bad happens. Promise me that when you finally find the strength to move on, you’ll go out there and find another girl.  I know you won’t forget me.

Thank you for giving me so much. Thank you for loving me. and my only wish is that you’ll learn to shower another with just as much love as you have shown me.

You are forever in my heart

Jane the Dame  :)

Scene:

Nathan closes the letter and lets it go on the table *zoom on hands*.  His phone vibrates.  Picture of Sarah on screen.  He smiles and picks it up. *fade out*

-END

Theme song can be found here: http://pioneerinspired.blogspot.com/2012/09/letting-go.html