Amelia is the single mom of a teenaged daughter, Sophia; and juggling the responsibilities of work, motherhood, and life in general are no easier for her than they are for any of us.  So it doesn't take much for "the other shoe to drop," and Amelia decides to call off from work and spend time with Sophie, who is working on a school assignment on cycles of dormancy in natural systems.  Over pizza by candlelight, the two talk, listen, and remind one another how important it is to honor the natural cycles of our bodies, especially in the cold and dark of winter.

Charts provided for piano/conductor, bass, soprano recorder, and choir/actor libretto.

Cast

Most of the singing is provided "Greek-chorus-style" by an SATB choir that sits away from the main action of the play.  Onstage we meet the following:

• Amelia (soprano) — our protagonist
• Sophie (alto) — Amelia's teenaged daughter
• Cody (no singing) — Sophie's best friend
• Nancy (no singing) — the pizza delivery driver
• Ms. Diduk (no singing) — Sophie's teacher
• Mrs. Geiton (no singing) — Amelia & Sophie's neighbor
• Pete (no singing) — Mrs. Geiton's son
• P.J. (no singing) — Pete's brother

Songs and lyrics

"Just Another Day"

6 A.M., start your day wishing for another way to live.
But you struggle to your feet, and
8 A.M., on your way, winter sky is cold and grey above,
and on every face you meet you
see the same lifeless game playing out in vacant
eyes without hope or doubt, though they try to fake it.
Every soul, every day, only tries to make it home again.
And it’s just another day.
It’s just another day.

12 o’clock, sun is high. Paneled ceiling shields your eyes below,
so it might as well be midnight.
3 o’clock, rub your eyes. Only time you cherish flies away;
it’s the hours that you wish would
hurry past that always last. Urgent incidentals
take the wheel, ‘til you feel you’re inconsequential.
Hide the hurt, pay the bills. Everything essential falls away.
And it’s just another day.
It’s just another day.

Then your body heads home, but your head stays in gear:
one more task, one more day, one more week, one more year.
And the life that you work to preserve
waits for you to deserve to be free:
when you’ve made your way;
when you can say
that it’s not just another day.

10 o’clock, sink’s a mess. Dinner dishes matter less than sleep.
So you stumble off to bed, but
1 o’clock, still awake. Close your eyes, but you can’t shake this fear
that tomorrow will be just another day.
Just another day.
Just another day.

"Mother You"

Every day I hear you say
you only want the best for me.
I know the sighs and sacrifices
you don’t think I see.

Now, today, I want to say
I only want the best for you.
I see you trying—hear you crying—
I guess you need me, too.

There will be times when it’s hard to love me,
and I won’t always make you proud of me,
but when you need me, I will be there.
I will mother you.

As I’ve grown, you’ve always shown
a patience I don’t understand.
But when it’s you that screws up*,
who holds out that gentle hand?

And as you know, the world won’t go
according to your every plan.
But even then, I’ll be your friend
and hold your tired hand.

There will be times when it’s hard to love you,
and you won’t always make me proud of you,
but when you need me, I will be there.
I will mother you.

There will be times when it’s hard to love me,
and I won’t always make you proud of me,
but when you need me, I will be there.
I will mother you.

When you need me, I will be there.
I will mother you.

"Even the Trees"

Sun sets earlier each day, and the night lasts longer.
Birds seek ev’ry tiny seed as their hunger grows stronger.
Chipmunks go gathering, stocking their dens,
preparing their homes for the snow.

Ice forms, capturing the bank with its slow crystal tether.
Frogs sink deep into the mud to await warmer weather.
Life plays with death-masks, a means to survive
‘til spring frees the frozen to grow.

Even the grass dries to straw. Even the reed cracks and falls.
Even the wildflowers wither to brown.
Shameless, the birds cease their song, leaving the wind all alone,
and even the trees sleep softly in the winter.

We hide: artificial sun keeps our minds locked in motion.
Stop? Why? Primacy requires we banish that notion.
Try to pretend you’re immune from the fall,
and circle from autumn to spring,

but even the grass dries to straw. Even the reed cracks and falls.
Even the wildflowers wither to brown.
Shameless, the birds cease their song, leaving the wind all alone,
and even the trees sleep softly in the winter.

"Slow Down"

It’s a boulder rolling down a mountain, heading for the valley floor.
It’s a liner on the cold Atlantic, as reports of ice come in.
It’s the ocean that an earthquake forces up into an angry roar.
It’s the car that speeds along the highway even as the snow begins.
Life won’t just stop.

You gotta slow down.
You gotta ease into winter slumber.
When the world is telling you
to get it done, to make it through,
the thing you really have to do
is slow down.

Do you roll your eyes and shake your head and wonder where the hours go?
Does the list of things to do get longer faster than the things you’ve done?
There’s a cue for you to take the wheel, to take control, to take it slow.
You’re too busy not to take the time to care and pray for “number one.”
Life won’t just stop.

You gotta slow down.
You gotta ease into winter slumber.
When the world is telling you
to get it done, to make it through,
the thing you really have to do
is slow down.

"Lullaby for Amelia"

Why be anxious? There’s a wealth of gifts around you.
Why be worried? There’s a meal on your table, and a roof overhead.
Say goodnight to the stress of the day, to the bills left to pay.
Hold on tight to the knowledge that you are so blessed.

Why be restless? When the day is done, the night comes.
Why be guilty? When you’ve done all you can do, then there’s nothing more for you.
Say goodnight to the work left undone, to the battles not won.
Hold on tight to the knowledge that you are so blessed.

Lay your head down and close your eyes.
Trust the stars to keep shining.
In the morning the sun will rise, and you’ll shine.
But sleep now.

Why be hopeless? There’s a wealth of peace around you.
Why be lonely? There’s a daughter who loves you, and a smile on her face.
Say goodnight to the friendships that faded. to the lovers grown jaded.
Hold on tight to the knowledge that you are so blessed.

Lay your head down and close your eyes.
Let your spirit go flying
through the crystalline winter skies, and you’ll shine.
Sleep now, and shine.

"Find Your Place (Remember the Dark)"

One flame glimmers in the dark: one tiny, fragile spark
that somehow chases all the gloom and fear away.
This is not what you had planned, but now you understand
that only darkness lets the light within you shine.
Leave the life you made behind you,
and let the darkness find you,
and watch your spirit glow!

Find your place, and love your place,
and know your place is right where you’re supposed to be,
and ev’ry day, even when the sun shines brightly on your face,
remember the dark.

Snowflakes tumble ‘til the dawn breaks, and every trace of
where you came from slowly vanishes beneath you.
When you waken, will your faith be shaken, or will you
see the gift that comes from nature’s cleansing blanket on the world?
Look, and see the choice you’re given,
the world of hope we live in,
and know that this is not just another day!

Not when you find your place, and love your place,
and know your place is right where you’re supposed to be,
and ev’ry day, even when the sun shines brightly on your face,

Find your place, and love your place,
and know your place is right where you’re supposed to be,
and ev’ry day, even when the sun shines brightly on your face,
remember the dark.