Here's a grateful day: I am walking around a beautiful lake, taking it slow, allowing the presence of God through stillness and nature to accompany me. Remaining in that very “un-alone" feeling, I morph into a bride walking toward a bridegroom. I am happy. I know where I am going because I've been here before. Faith. It's a good thing and I'm BACK.

This song is a part of my 2023 compilation called, “Quilted: a colorful patchwork of original songs and the stories that stitched them”. The subject of this song folds nicely into my “God’s Eye Quilt” hope chest. *


LYRICS: Sweet Return
Verse 1:
Let this walk be slow
I can see the bridegroom
Let this walk be slow
I can see His smile
I know He’s been waiting for a long long while
Let this walk be slow
To Sweet Return.

Verse 2:
Have I been here before?
Did I almost reach You?
Did You lift the veil?
Did I turn away?
Did the voices on my left and right hold sway?
Well now I’ve found my way
To Sweet Return

Bridge:
Meet me on the dance floor
You lead, I’ll follow
You can set the tempo Lord
I’ll keep pace today, tomorrow

Verse 3:
I just want You to know
That I’ll never leave You
Every step is steady on this pathway straight to You
But if I could take one moment
Just to savor the view
Well, I would run to You
And Sweet Return
I would run, run, run to You
And Sweet Return

*What is a "God's Eye Quilt"?
God’s Eye Quilt: https://www.nps.gov/home/planyourvisit/quilt-discovery-experience.htm
America was founded on the principle of religious freedom, so quilts that reminded the homesteaders of their devotion to God were especially meaningful. The trip to new land was filled with danger and daily challenges which tested even the strongest men and women. It was a rare person who did not lose a family member, often a child, along the trail.
The practice of using quilts as burial shrouds was fairly common among westward travelers. Wood was often scarce for coffins, so families used what was available and appropriate. Wrapping a loved one in a quilt was a way of not only preparing the body for burial, but of giving reassurance to the living that the decreased person was still linked to his or her family. A quilt that carried a Biblical name was a source of comfort, and with their enduring faith, kept the family going.
Other popular quilt patterns were Jacob's Ladder, Cross and Crown, Bethlehem Star, Crown of Thorns, David and Goli-ath, Eastern Star and Star of Eden.

The meditative arrangement of this song was created by Werner Alsanger at Wernaldo Productions in Lakeland Florida. Through remote technology, Jon Quinn of Quinn Music performed the lush, nylon-string guitar part. I recorded my own vocals in a small home studio that I call, ReisUpStudio. The pandemic provided an unwanted but ultimately helpful opportunity to force the skills of home recording and DAW production upon my weary brow. Thankfully, the restful nature of the song kept my heart warmed throughout the tedious, and ongoing learning curve.

I hope this journey-song beckons you into a return to faith of your own nature, willing and filled with peace.