Akron, OH, July 11-13, 2008
In late December 2007, I received a flyer along with my copy of ESSAY, announcing the July 2008 International Convention to be held in Akron, Ohio. The flyer identified the Convention theme as “Welcome Home.” Somehow that phrase—“Welcome Home”—hit me with a strong emotional force. A song started forming in my mind. I picked up my guitar and note pad. The song seemed to write itself. I took the first draft upstairs and played it for my wife. She said, “That’s a good song!” Her words encouraged me to continue to work it through, finding just the right lyrics and music to express my experience of truly feeling “at home” here in SA.
In a way the song is a retelling of the Prodigal Son, who has lost his way and returns home expecting to be judged and condemned, but instead is welcomed with open, loving arms by his Father. The words and music also carry the emotional signature of my story. Before coming to SA, I was extremely lonely and frightened. No one else seemed to have a clue about the kind of inner world that I inhabited, nor how lusting and acting out were my “solution” to this relentless torture. In 1987, I met with two men who had recovered from sexual addiction. They were smiling! They actually seemed happy to meet me! I finally felt that there were people who understood, who would neither judge nor try to fix me—because they were just like me on the inside. For the first time ever in my life I truly felt at home! Although it was nine more years before I would come in from the cold—when I was ready, I remembered there was a place I could return to and be welcomed home!
I plan to perform “Welcome Home” in Akron at the convention this July. Here are the lyrics. I hope you enjoy them.
Jayson W., San Diego, CA
Welcome Home
Welcome home … welcome home
Let your hair down, you’re not alone
You’d go anywhere … try anything
Come up empty-handed … having lost everything
Never fit in … never took part
Looking for something to fill in your heart
Came to the last house on the block
Saw a light shining from within
Gave the door a timid knock
It swung wide open to let you in …
Welcome home … welcome home
Let your hair down, you’re not alone
Welcome home … welcome home
Put your hand out friend, you’re not alone anymore
When you’re tired of living … in sorrow and grief
Ready for real change … not just relief
Open your eyes … you’ll see that it’s true
Something much better is waiting for you
Come to the last house on the block
See the light shining from within
Give the door a timid knock
It swings wide open to let you in …
Welcome home … welcome home
Let your hair down, you’re not alone
Welcome home … welcome home
Put your hand out friend, you’re not alone anymore
Ahh Welcome Home …
Everyone who’s lost
Ahh Welcome Home …
You’ve paid the dearest cost
Ahh Welcome Home …
To finally find your way
Ahh Welcome Home …
You’re welcome here to stay!!
Welcome Home!
Music and lyrics by Jayson W.
