媽媽生日快樂！
這首《人世間》，由錢雷作曲、唐恬作詞（跟去年的《花開忘憂》，以及三年前唱給爸爸的《如願》一樣——他們倆應該是我近年來最喜歡的作曲家和作詞家組合了），唱盡了人生中的聚散離合與親情羈絆。當我聽見「祝你踏過千重浪，能留在愛人的身旁；在媽媽老去的時光，聽她把兒時慢慢講」時，我就決定一定要把這首歌練起來給妳，因為這曾是我最熱切的渴望——我希望在千帆過盡後，所有我愛的人都能留在我身旁，我也希望能陪妳一起慢慢老去，聽妳閒話家常。我還記得新冠疫情爆發的2020年，也是妳生命的最後一年，我每週跟妳視訊，總會纏著妳講妳小時候的故事，我抄了滿滿的筆記，寫成了一本小書，成了告別式上對妳的紀念。現在想來，不知是否冥冥中自有天意，雖然無法陪妳老去，但依然有幸聽妳把兒時慢慢講。
今年是妳走後第六年，對妳的懷念從最初的驚濤駭浪，化成了一條平靜的河流，安安穩穩的流過我的每一天；當年所有烈焰焚身般的痛苦，也隨著時光流逝化成了一盞溫暖的燈，照亮妳留給我的笑容。《人世間》對世事無常與親情牽絆的詮釋，正如同妳留在我生命中的永恆印記，提醒著我，愛能穿越生死，不管經歷多少滄桑變化，我都要努力地像種子一樣，一生向陽。
Happy birthday, Mom!
“A Lifelong Journey” is composed by Qian Lei and the lyrics were written by Tang Tian — the same duo behind last year‘s “Flowers Bloom, Forget Your Worries” and “As Wished” for Dad 3 years ago. (They are probably my favorite composer-lyricist pair in recent years.) This song captures the full spectrum of life’s joys and sorrows, separations and reunions, as well as the enduring bonds of family love. When I heard the lines, “May you brave a thousand waves and remain by the side of your beloved ones; and in the twilight of your mother’s years, listen as she gently recounts the tales of her childhood,” I knew right away that I had to learn this song for you. For this was once my deepest desire: that after weathering life’s many storms, all those I hold dear to my heart would remain by my side; and that I could grow old alongside you, listening to your childhood stories. I still remember in 2020, the year when COVID erupted and the final year of your life, we would video chat every week, and I would always ask you to share stories from your childhood. I took a notebook-full of notes, eventually compiling them into a small book that served as a tribute to you at your funeral. Looking back, I wonder if it was destiny at work — although I could not grow old with you, I was still blessed with the opportunity to listen as you recounted the tales of your childhood.
This year is the sixth year since you left. My grief, once like raging waves, has now transformed into a tranquil river, flowing gently and steadily through my everyday life. The burning pain that consumed me like a flame back then has also softened into a warm, gentle light that illuminates the memory and the smile you left behind. The way “A Lifelong Journey” portrays the vicissitudes of life and the enduring bonds of family mirrors the indelible mark you left in my life, constantly reminding me that love lasts beyond death. No matter how many storms and changes the years may bring, I shall strive, much like a seed, to spend my entire life reaching ever toward the sun.