I agree with Garethm, it's likely the ruminations and observations of a father, or mother, who lost their 15 year old daughter. Apart from the heartbreaking sentiment of a young girl venturing off on her own, her parting words being, "I love you Mom," the verse about the parents' grief is achingly inspirational. The idea that to continue, to progress, or merely trudge along on this planet requires "risking something that matters" (your child) is really thought provoking. That, coupled with the lines "if it's worth the going, it's worth the ride" is a mentality that serves to allow one to endure the hardest blows that life throws at you - the hardship of losing your daughter (the ride) amounts to strengthening and developing you as a person in order to better live your life (the going).
I agree with Garethm, it's likely the ruminations and observations of a father, or mother, who lost their 15 year old daughter. Apart from the heartbreaking sentiment of a young girl venturing off on her own, her parting words being, "I love you Mom," the verse about the parents' grief is achingly inspirational. The idea that to continue, to progress, or merely trudge along on this planet requires "risking something that matters" (your child) is really thought provoking. That, coupled with the lines "if it's worth the going, it's worth the ride" is a mentality that serves to allow one to endure the hardest blows that life throws at you - the hardship of losing your daughter (the ride) amounts to strengthening and developing you as a person in order to better live your life (the going).