You’ll See was released in 1995. I thought about my family every time I listened to this song, and I used to sing it every day during my walk to and from work.
I rested the first couple of days after arriving in DC. Then, I rented a car and drove to North Carolina to see my mother. I was so happy to see her. I sat and told her everything I had experienced while driving across the country. Well, almost everything. We were thrilled to see each other.
That Sunday, I drove back to DC and started looking for a job. Within a month, I found a job at a four-star hotel and got my apartment at 15th and Rhode Island, in the Northwest section of town. Finally, I lived in a large city, something I had always wanted to experience.
Joel and I reunited, and he took off a semester and moved in with me that fall. We shared my apartment for a few months, but I asked him to move out the following December after receiving questionable phone calls. By Christmas, we had split up for good. Joel soon enrolled in a dance program at VCU in Richmond, Virginia, and we remained friends.
At this point, I had not spoken to one of my siblings for over two years. It was just too difficult. I guess we both needed some space away from one another. My new life in DC gave me that space and kept me entertained at the same time.
I don’t think my loved ones ever thought I would last very long in DC, and the longer I stayed, the more distant we all became.
“You think that you’ve destroyed my faith in love. You think after all you’ve done; I’ll never find my way back home. You’ll see, somehow, someday.”
I continued to rent a car once a month to drive to North Carolina to spend time with my mother. That was my top priority, even though I could barely afford it. The only month I missed visiting her was during the blizzard of 96′. Other than that, she saw me every month. During the workweek, I always called her and left messages on her answering machine. I wanted her to know that I was still thinking about her. I got a “MOM” tattoo on my left art and told her she and I would always be together.
I was finally breaking away, but it was a slow, painful process. The longer I stayed in DC, the happier I became. Friends who had known me for a long time could see a positive change in me. I appeared lighter and more content.
I sang this song every morning during my walk to work. It gave me strength and courage. Madonna’s music continued to play the soundtrack to my life, and I hoped that my loved ones and I would be able to reconcile our differences someday, but until that day, I had to focus on my happiness.
I continued to search for new friends and explore new relationships.
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YOU’LL SEE
You think that I can’t live without your love,
you’ll see.
You think I can’t go on another day
You think I have nothing
without you by my side.
You’ll see, somehow, some way.
You think that I can never laugh again,
You’ll see.
You think that you’ve destroyed my faith in love.
You think after all you’ve done,
I’ll never find my way back home.
You’ll see, somehow, someday.
First Chorus:
All by myself,
I don’t need anyone at all.
I know I’ll survive,
I know I’ll stay alive.
All on my own,
I don’t need anyone this time.
It will be mine,
No one can take it from me.
You’ll see
You think that you are strong but you are weak,
You’ll see.
It takes more strength to cry,
Admit defeat.
I have truth on my side,
You only have deceit.
You’ll see, somehow, someday.
Second Chorus:
All by myself,
I don’t need anyone at all.
I know I’ll survive,
I know I’ll stay alive.
I’ll stand on my own,
I won’t need anyone this time.
It will be mine,
No one can take it from me.
You’ll see
You’ll see
You’ll see
You’ll see
