Writing a Song to Say Goodbye to My Dear Friend Lisa
Facing Loss for the First Time
I had lost grandparents and older relatives before, but I had never lost a dear friend, someone my age, walking through the very same chapter of life.
When my friend Lisa was diagnosed with cancer, my mind simply refused to accept what was happening. She was born just one day apart from me, and for eight years, we were part of an intimate circle of spiritual women practicing life together.
She was such a radiant light. In full transparency, I truly believed she had to heal. In a world that feels so complex and heavy right now, I couldn’t fathom how her being gone could possibly be better. The world needed her light. I wasn't ready to be in a reality where she wasn't in it.
Watching her navigate her diagnosis over the following year became a masterclass in courage, authenticity, and surrender. I watched her move from fear, to empowerment, to fighting, to finding alternative treatments when traditional ones failed, to a brief window of believing she was cured, before the cancer returned with a vengeance.
Through it all, Lisa led with radical love. She held clear, transparent conversations with her family so nothing was left unsaid. When her body began shutting down, she personally called each of us in our circle to hold space for our grief and tell us she was ready.
A Calling to Capture Her Light
About two weeks after that phone call, I got a clear, undeniable pull: I needed to write her a song.
I gathered words, feelings, and memories from the women in our circle. I wanted to capture Lisa’s light, her fierce, bubbly, effervescent spirit. My producer helped me turn it around in 24 hours so I could share it with her live.
But when I was driving to her house, fear crept in. I hesitated. Writing the song was cathartic, but actually giving it to her felt like officially saying goodbye.
I chose to push through the fear, stay open-hearted, and share it with her anyway.
It turned out to be one of the most deeply healing moments of my life. Being willing to be vulnerable, transparent, and authentic with her while she was still alive gave us both the space to truly say goodbye.
What Lisa Taught Me About Living
Lisa’s passing taught me something profound: While I am still grieving, I am acutely aware of how precious it is to be here in this body, healthy. Her life, and her transition, reminded me that while I am here, I might as well go for it and be my biggest, brightest, most authentic self.
Lisa, thank you for teaching me how to live.
(Listen to the song below and read the lyrics written in her honor.)
🎧 Listen to "With Me You’ll Always Be (Primananda Sagara)"
📝 Song Lyrics
Verse 1 Isn’t it fun, when you come, face to face with someone
That your soul’s known for a long time, first meeting this lifetime
Feeling instant connection, warm love and affection
Sister I am so happy, that you’re here with me
Verse 2 A vast and open heart, your soul's a work of art
Brave gentle warrior, intention always pure
Calibrating to glee, the funny and silly
Even when I can’t see, with me you’ll always be
Chorus Playful is your energy
Fierce, brave, fun & free
Giggle through the muck and mud
You are love
Illuminate my world always
Your light I know will always stay
Your spirit is so sparkly
You’ll always be
Verse 3 Teaching me how to be strong, facing pain with wisdom
Optimistic rejoicing, truth and love you’re voicing
I’m feeling sad that you are, transitioning so far
But I know you're in my heart, with me you’ll always be
Bridge As you expand in this next phase, I will miss hugging you, but you’re not erased
You live with me, deep in my heart, I will be calling you,
I will be calling you, I’ll never stop calling you
You’re with me x4
Primananda sagara
Verse 4 I know our souls agreed, in this life to be
Learners and teachers too, I’ve loved this walk with you
As I take my next step, without you beside me
I know I’m not alone, with me you’ll always be
Chorus Playful is your energy
Fierce, brave, fun & free
Giggle through the muck and mud
You are love
Illuminate my world always
Your light I know will always stay
Your spirit is so sparkly
You’ll always be