The first time I listened to "O jardim" I went in with the knowledge that it was the fan favourite. I also went in having been moved the previous week by Caterina's song, which was something basically doing absolutely everything right for me. I was smitten and when i'm in I want mode, I don't really give anything else provided a proper chance. "O jardim" went in one ear and out the other the first time I heard it. I didn't dislike it in the slightest bit, but I was confused as to how it was being hyped as much as it was. The second time I watched the performance I paid more attention, and was intrigued by the emotions Claudia shared towards the end of the song. There was a lot of pain in those closing moments. I didn't play it again until this afternoon, but some fragments of the song had been lingering with me throughout the week. I can't quite explain it because it was the most peculiar thing.
Earlier today I was talking with Krishoes about the songs, and despite my initial puzzled reaction to "O jardim", I said that I was somehow at peace with it winning. I then asked for a translation of the lyrics, which was bad timing on my end as I was in a wrong place to read them. They made me tear up, and I could understand everything, just why this was reaching people the way it was, and the likely reason it had managed to stick with me. Reading what it was about made me think of my grandma tending to my gramps garden, and how that comforted her. It was a way of coping. She felt like she was communicating with him whilst she took over what was his joy and passion.
"O jardim" isn't a Eurovision song. It's not there to thrill me or initiate some kind of fan hype inside my body. It's a song song. It's something that can linger and eventually soothe if you let it. It doesn't grab your hand and pull you right in, but it's instead a soft whisper telling you that it's ok and that things can get better. We all go through these things in our lives. I think it deals with the taboo subject of grief in such a beautiful and honest way. Life goes on but we never forget those no longer physically with us. They still remain inside of us.
I would have quite frankly done a lot (probably naughty things) if it meant seeing Caterina at Eurovision (her song felt like it was pretty much made for me), but sending "O jardim" feels very right. It's obviously touched your hearts and it's touched mine. I have to give it 12 in the poll. It's a special host entry, and I thank you for it.
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