The End of the Rainbow

Nikki boarded a Greyhound bus
With nothing but hope in her pockets
Said "one town's as good as any other"
One hand held a suitcase
And the other held a locket
Faded photograph of Nikki's mother
She never seen her mother's face
Ever since her very first day
And that was nineteen years ago today
She was born a miracle
On her mother's nineteenth birthday
And Nikki tried, but she's got her pride
No foster home is gonna keep her tied
Nikki's got a baby growin inside
There ain't nobody gonna take away...

Chorus:
How long does it take this Greyhound bus
To get to the end of the rainbow?
There's a pot of gold for the two of us
I know there is, I know...

Nikki's mother held her tight
For almost twenty minutes
Then the nurses said "she'll have to go.
She's got a life of her own to live,
And now's the time to begin it.
She'll be better off that way, you know."
Her mother cried when the cord was tied,
Somewhere she's still cryin'
Nikki learned to keep her feelin's hid
She figured out the system fast:
When they smile, they're always lyin'
But though they tried, she stayed strong inside
Kept that picture, kept her pride
And if it takes a million midnight rides
There ain't nobody gonna take her kid...

(chorus)

Nikki's baby birthday girl
Was born at the end of the rainbow
Back seat of a Greyhound on the go
Nikki held that baby tight for hours
Just lettin' the pain go
Said "mama wish your granddaughter hello."
The clouds burst as the night brought forth
A baby with the eyes of her mother
Sun come up and a double rainbow took shape
They've got a life of their own to live
And one town's as good as another
On a morning ride, with a mother's pride
A newborn baby's cord was tied
That old locket seemed to glow gold inside:
Girl you finally made your escape....

(chorus x 2)

This song is about a miracle, but it's a little bit of a miracle in itself.

When I finally met my birth mother a couple of years ago, I learned that she had ridden a Greyhound bus to Ottawa to have me in safety and in secret.

She was an orphan, and had only one picture of her mother.

The day she met my daughter, the circle was complete... but only because of the deep and abiding love of my mom and dad.

I don't think stories end. Happily ever after is about how you feel right now.