Not to Say Goodbye
This is going to be a bit of a post just to make me feel good and fuzzy. When I was in High School at LAHS, I sang in numerous choirs, like Girls 21, MSS, Concert Choir, etc. Every year during Graduation and during the Spring Concert, we would sing “Not to Say Goodbye” by Matthew Weston. Whenever I hear the song, I start to tear up, because it reminds me of all the good times I’ve had. So, for your viewing pleasure, I found MSS’s 2008 performance of Not to Say Goodbye on YouTube, and I’ll post the lyrics underneath. 
Not to say goodbye,
Not to leave you lonely,
Ever by your side,
whether joys or sorrows fill your days,
for all your days will speak of all the ways I love you.
This I leave with you,
A wish for your tomorrows.
Promises made true,
gentle words from lips that smile a smile of joy
when you are near
and lips that tell of al lthe ways I love you.
and for you a prayer
the Lord will have you share in only memories
of golden yesterdays.
That you will let Him guide you All along your way.
That you’ll walk beside him.
So I’ll not say goodbye
and you will not be lonely.
Time will pass us by
but we can have forever
and i know that all your days
will show you how I love you,
for I, for I will always love you, love you.
Pretty. I wanna see you sing it!
Ash
On a whim I googled this song and the name of the writer, and found this blog. I knew the writer, Matt Weston, very well and sang this song more times than I can count. Mr. Weston was a music director at Santa Fe High School in CA. He was a dear friend and mentor. More than those things, he is the greatest person I have ever known. His impact on my life has never waned and he will never be forgotten, by me, or by the countless others who were blessed to call him friend.
About 12 or so years after graduation, with Weston in failing health, a large group of us atended a reunion and thank you for him. He was in a wheel chair, and his speech had slowed a bit. But his smile bore his heart, and I instantly teared up when I saw him. Toward the end of our time, a fellow student began to play Not to Say Goodbye so we could sing it one last time. Mr. Weston shewed the piano player off the piano, and said, “This is my song, I can still play it.” There wasn’t a dry eye in the place. That is a moment forever etched on my heart. Matt Weston went on to be with his God whom he loved so much within a year. I miss him today, and always will.
I doubt anyone will read this, if you do, I hope you see the greatness in the author of this great song.
Bryan, I too googled this for my wife. I can tell you that Mr Weston had such a profound impact on all of us who sat in his class. Ensemble was the best and I have regret that I did not get to say to him Thank you for all he did. I sing this song to my son and daughter, As well I sing to my wife. My voice isnt as good as it was but the love of this song and the Auther I believe lives forever. God bless Mr. Weston.
Santa Fe High School, class of 1986.
stephenforbus@verizon.net
I only had the pleasure of having Mr. Weston as a choir director for one year, and even in that one year I remember him having a profound impact on my life. I was sent here from a Facebook entry, and I believe that many others will now get to see this video as a result. Thank you for posting, and thank you for giving others an opportunity to share their heart-felt thanks for Matt Weston.
I encourage all of Mr. Weston’s students who see this to post their comments here.
I too attended Santa Fe High school and had the great pleasure to work with Mr. Weston. Not only did I get to sing in the choir with him but I also had the opportunity to act not only for him but with him when he briefly ran the drama department. His amazing spirit made high school so much more enjoyable.
I attended the reunion and remember singing Not to Say Goodbye that one last time. It was a very powerful moment for me.
I will always remember Mr. Weston and the impact he had on my life. I truly miss him.
WOW — I just found this as well — ALSO a Student Of Matt Weston *** this song brings back so many memories & today — it brings back so much about our BELOVED MR WESTON!! —- I don’t think my high school memories would b so special if I wasn’t part of Santa Fe’s Vocal Ensemble!!! Steve, Bob, Carey, Tom, Jeff Kelly — and wow — so many more — Thanks for being a part and everlasting memory
*** RIP MR WESTON!!!! ****
i’m singing in a choir in germany and there we are singing this song, it is faboulous. i really love it. but we can’t sing it as good as i’ve seen in the video…
i don’t know any of you but you’re doing a great job, and i think this matt weston was a… a perfect person.
don’t know why i write this…
Thank you all for taking the time to remember my father – the late Matthew Weston. It will be 8 years ago, this Wednesday that my dad went home to be with our Lord and Savior (which also happened to be Father’s Day that year). His love and compassion for his students was evident and became the model I used (and still use) when I began teaching in 1998.
This song, written in 1982 to remember one of his favorite classes – ironically the same year I graduated from high school – speaks volumes about how to live life with purpose – and for my dad, that meant showing Jesus’ love through music. I stumbled upon the YouTube song from Los Altos High as I was looking for the lyrics to use in an upcoming newsletter I was writing for work. The performance was incredible, and the idea to use Sign Language made the song more powerful.
At my dad’s service, the attendance of numerous students showed he left behind a legacy – and in this song, and performances by other choirs, his legacy continues.
Ron, God bless you and your family for sharing your father with us.. He used to talk about you so much.. I even remember coming to your home for a party he had for us kids.. I was with Mr. Weston every year of my high school days. and still would go and talk with him after graduation, for advice and a good dose of his sense of humor.. I only wish I could have been there to tell him one last time, how much he meant to my life.. But I know I will get that chance.. The last time I saw Mr. Weston is when he retired and we had sang for him…All I did was stand up there and cry..couldnt get any words of this very song out.. and he just looked at me, and mouthed “I love you”, I cry even telling you now.. because I knew he meant it. and I loved him back… I truly pray for your life and that your fathers work continues through you… God be with you and yours..Kelly Buckner Trujillo
He was such a wonderful man, I cannot express in words all he did for me.. He always had time for me, he never made me feel that my hurt and worries as a young girl were not valid.. I learned more from him than music, no one could ever replace him… And I will be looking for him in Heaven… I love you Mr. Weston…Kelly
Dear students and friends of Mr. Weston, Thank you! God is good by being part of his life in order to be bless and so that all of you may continue his legacy he left behind. His love transcends far more than anyone could ever imagine and yet he was willing to exemplify the very nature of God. I sit here in tears of joy knowing how much I cherish every words you say about my father. Your words and deeds carries great weight for me to follow yet with gladness. I now too can do the same for my students knowing full well that I am following in his footstep. This, I do praise God.
Matthew C. Weston, son of Mr. Weston
I remember being at his funeral and singing “not to say goodbye” after the service. Due to Mr. Weston’s example and the love of Christ flowing through him (and so many of the other students in his class) I came to know Jesus as my savior. This past year I took my wife and kids to Sedona and couldn’t help but think of Mr. Weston and his desire to retire there. God had a much better place of retirement planned for him. There are way too many memories of him to mention here.