When I Get Where I'm Going: On the Far Side of the Sky

by Rivers Rutherford, George Teren

Overview

When you’re comforting a grieving friend or loved one and need the right words, When I Get Where I’m Going says it all. The thoughtful and sensitive lyrics of the number one hit song by the same name by Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton, have moved countless radio listeners to tears, while at the same time provided comfort to people who have lost loved ones. When I Get Where I’m Going is a beautifully illustrated book that is the perfect, sensitive touch to help someone through their most difficult moments. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781418554118
Publisher:	Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Publication date:	10/18/2010
Sold by:	HarperCollins Publishing
Format:	eBook
Pages:	64
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Rivers Rutherford is one of Nashville's most successful and accomplished songwriters. In addition to this hit, he also cowrote Tim McGraw's smash hit "Real Good Man."

George Teren is one of Nashville's most successful and accomplished songwriters and cowriter of Tim McGraw's smash hit "Real Good Man."

Read an Excerpt

WHEN I GET WHERE I'M GOING

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By RIVERS RUTHERFORD GEORGE TEREN

RUTLEDGE HILL PRESS

Copyright © 2007 RIVERS RUTHERFORD & GEORGE TEREN
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-40160-323-6

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Chapter One

THE FIRST TIME I HEARD "WHEN I GET WHERE I'M GOING,"

I remember having the same reaction that countless fans have described to me. I thought about someone I had lost in my life, about the things they must be doing now that their soul is free, and I felt tremendous hope. The song brings on a sense of closure for me, of understanding in the midst of the unfathomable. It sums up the full-circle journey of life like countless songs have done throughout music history, but in a more poetic and beautiful way. Rivers and George have written a masterpiece. This book is a celebration of a piece of art that has consoled people in their grief, graced several memorial services, and brought back fond memories. I personally don't think there has ever been a finer song about this subject. I am honored to have been the person you first heard singing these words.

BRAD PAISLEY

THERE IS SO MUCH TO SAY.

And yet it is hard to know what to say. Words seem so inadequate and too one-dimensional to express sorrow for your loss.

While words may not be enough, it is our hope that the images and sentiments in the pages of this book and in the song that inspired it can bring you some comfort in the weeks and months ahead.

LIFE IS PRECIOUS. LOVE IS ETERNAL.

DEATH IS MERELY A DOOR SEPARATING WHERE WE ARE FROM WHERE WE ARE GOING.

* * *

DON'T BELIEVE FOR ONE MINUTE THAT THIS IS IT-THAT WE DIE AND IT'S OVER. THAT WE ARE BRIEF INHABITANTS OF A PLANET THAT IS NOTHING MORE THAN A SPECK OF DUST AFLOAT IN A VAST, COLD, EMPTY VOID.

THERE IS SO MUCH MORE. WE WILL GO ON FOREVER.

THE UNIVERSE WAS NOT SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE THE IDEA THAT SOMETHING CAN COME FROM NOTHING, NOR THAT SOMETHING CAN COME TO NOTHING.

THE PART OF US THAT PUTS THE SPARKLE IN THE EYE OF A DELIGHTED CHILD, THE LIGHT THAT IS UNIQUE IN EVERY PERSON, THE THING THAT MAKES EACH INDIVIDUAL SPECIAL- IT GOES ON.

WHEN I GET WHERE I'M GOING

ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE SKY

* * *

IT'S ALL PART OF THE JOURNEY ...

FROM THE FIRST BREATH, FIRST SMILE, FIRST STEP, TO THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. FIRST FRIEND. FIRST NIGHT AWAY FROM HOME.

ALL PART OF THE JOURNEY.

THE DISAPPOINTMENT OF BEING CUT FROM THE TEAM AFTER MONTHS OF PRACTICE. THE EUPHORIA OF A FIRST-EVER KISS AND THE REALIZATION THAT THERE IS A LOT MORE TO THE OPPOSITE SEX THAN WAS EVER SUSPECTED. THE BITTERSWEET SEPARATION FROM LONGTIME FRIENDS UPON GRADUATION.

* * *

ALL A PART OF THE JOURNEY.

THE CHANCES NOT TAKEN. THE LOVES THAT WEREN'T PURSUED. THE DOUBTS, THE MISTAKES, THE WOULD'VES, COULD'VES, AND SHOULD'VES. SHAME, REGRET, DOUBT, GUILT, SELFISHNESS.

PAINFUL, BUT PART OF IT.

THE GOOD FEELING THAT COMES FROM GIVING A BOX FULL OF TOYS TO THE CHRISTMAS DRIVE AT CHURCH. THE PRIDE OF BEING HIRED FOR YOUR FIRST JOB. THE FIRST RAISE. THE OLD VW YOU BOUGHT WITH YOUR OWN MONEY. THE TWO WEEKS YOU SPENT TOURING EUROPE.

DEVELOPING A MORAL COMPASS. FINDING FAITH, BUILDING UPON IT, AND DRAWING FROM IT.

ALL PART OF THE JOURNEY.

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from WHEN I GET WHERE I'M GOING by RIVERS RUTHERFORD GEORGE TEREN Copyright © 2007 by RIVERS RUTHERFORD & GEORGE TEREN. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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