The Unimaginable

Every now and then I find a song that touches my heart and soul so deeply that I cannot stop listening to it.

Even less often I find a story or a soundtrack, in this case both, that has the same effect on me.

This is Hamilton.

It’s only been about a week since I starting immersing myself in the soundtrack.

I day-dream about it.

The songs play on in my head when I am not listening.

I find this true story of our nation’s founding father’s incredible and fascinating.

The perspectives it gives on the main characters, showing their strengths and weaknesses, is awesome.

Sometimes I will listen to one song, over and over, until I have grasped the meaning of the lyrics and the many messages being sent through them.

There are so many parallels between our political system, elected officials, and candidates then and now.

Likewise, I find myself relating to a lot of the themes in the musical, especially how complicated relationships can be and what it feels like to learn to live through the unimaginable (such as experiencing the death of your child).

Which brings me to my favorite song in the soundtrack, It’s Quiet Uptown.

Lin-Manuel Miranda captures so well in this one what if feels like to be going through unimaginable challenges in our lives.

Whether being a bereaved parent, spouse, child and/or friend…

Getting used to a new normal, after a relationship has ended or is compromised by betrayal…

Adjusting to life with a serious illness or caring for someone who is…

So often those of us who have been there are given platitudes by those who mean well.

A common one being, “I can’t imagine what you are going through.”

That is because there are some experiences we face in our lives that are truly unimaginable.

If there is someone you care about who is struggling, listen to this song and take it to heart.

I played it for a dear friend this morning, who is working through the unimaginable.

She loved it.

And sharing it with her affirmed for me how much it means to have those in your life who are willing to walk through the unimaginable with you, even when we may not know what to do or say or how to support them.

Wherever this finds you today, I wish you love, grace, and peace on your journey.

It’s Quite Uptown
by Lin-Manuel Miranda

[ANGELICA]
There are moments that the words don’t reach
There is suffering too terrible to name
You hold your child as tight as you can
And push away the unimaginable
The moments when you’re in so deep
It feels easier to just swim down

[ANGELICA/ENSEMBLE]
The Hamiltons move uptown
And learn to live with the unimaginable

[HAMILTON]
I spend hours in the garden
I walk alone to the store
And it’s quiet uptown
I never liked the quiet before
I take the children to church on Sunday
A sign of the cross at the door
And I pray
That never used to happen before

[ANGELICA AND WOMEN]
If you see him in the street, walking by
Himself, talking to himself, have pity

[HAMILTON]
Philip, you would like it uptown
It’s quiet uptown

[ANGELICA AND WOMEN]
He is working through the unimaginable

[ALL MEN (EXCEPT HAMILTON)]
His hair has gone grey. He passes every day
They say he walks the length of the city

[HAMILTON]
You knock me out, I fall apart

[COMPANY (EXCEPT HAMILTON AND ELIZA)]
Can you imagine?

[HAMILTON]
Look at where we are
Look at where we started
I know I don’t deserve you, Eliza
But hear me out. That would be enough

If I could spare his life
If I could trade his life for mine
He’d be standing here right now
And you would smile, and that would be enough
I don’t pretend to know
The challenges we’re facing
I know there’s no replacing what we’ve lost
And you need time
But I’m not afraid
I know who I married
Just let me stay here by your side
That would be enough

[COMPANY (EXCEPT HAMILTON AND ELIZA)]
If you see him in the street, walking by her
Side, talking by her side, have pity

[HAMILTON]
Eliza, do you like it uptown? It’s quiet uptown

[COMPANY (EXCEPT HAMILTON AND ELIZA)]
He is trying to do the unimaginable
See them walking in the park, long after dark
Taking in the sights of the city

[HAMILTON]
Look around, look around, Eliza

[COMPANY (EXCEPT HAMILTON AND ELIZA)]
They are trying to do the unimaginable

[ANGELICA]
There are moments that the words don’t reach
There is a grace too powerful to name
We push away what we can never understand
We push away the unimaginable
They are standing in the garden
Alexander by Eliza’s side
She takes his hand

[ELIZA]
It’s quiet uptown

[COMPANY (EXCEPT HAMILTON AND ELIZA)]
Forgiveness. Can you imagine?
Forgiveness. Can you imagine?
If you see him in the street, walking by her
Side, talking by her side, have pity
They are going through the unimaginable