Tag Archives: memories

life lessons, philosophy

Melodies of life

Melodies of Life (Everybody Has a Song)

Not long ago a friend of mine called me and told me how much he loved my family. It seems Rob ran into the Houston conglomerate of our band of crazies on my niece’s 17th birthday. The patrons of good Company Taqueria were being treated to a Nelson version of the Beatles’ I Saw Her Standing There, with slightly altered words; after all, “She Was Just 17…”

My sister Theresa turns memories into lyrics for almost every occasion. While slightly embarrassing to the recipient, and some of the performers if the venue is public, when you wake up on your birthday you smile with anticipation of Tessie’s serenade. When I was four or five, she recorded me singing Rag Time Cowboy. Years later, I was turned into that cowboy through the magic of her loving devotion and thoughtful creativity.

Yesterday, I found a note I’d written years ago that spoke of Theresa’s tributes. I can’t be sure when it was written, as there was no date, but there is little doubt it was during a tough stretch. The simple clue was the line that mentioned looking in the mirror. Reflection isn’t always easy.

My song has a few rough chords in it. I simply hope that when the last verse is heard a happy note rings in the air.

The unfinished piece definitely crosses a few genres when it plays in my head. The heartache and breakdown of a country song; The hard charging mess of a heavy metal calamity, the upbeat rhythm of Bill Withers’ Lovely Day, the power of a Led Zeppelin masterpiece and the peace of love songs. Though not finished, all in all, not a bad tune. When the stage is cleared, all I can hope is that the resounding ring in the listener’s ear is that of the memories we made for those still around to hear the song.

We can affect the melody, but we cannot control the tempo of the music. We can write the words and even then, as someone sang, the words still might not come out right. We can walk out on stage with the arrangement just so, but in the end it’s just a jam session. One thing is for certain, we can dance to whatever beat is playing. Enjoy the music and dance your ass off.

Will

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dads, fathers, life lessons, love, Uncategorized

Anticipation

December 27, 2014

Anticipation
It’s 4:23. The alarm isn’t set to go off until 5 and I’ve been up since 3:30. William is asleep in the room adjacent to me and I’m sure sawing timber. Me, no chance of anymore rest. We meet at the barn at 6:10 to load the 4 wheelers and get to the blinds!

Whether its hunting or fishing I’m like this every trip. Giddy with anticipation, I can hear the geese screaming and the Mallards deep distinctive call even now. I can picture the darkness before dawn which will hide the first teal buzz.

While I’d be excited no matter the trip, this morning brings indescribable joy because of the 15 year old in the next room. He’s hunted pheasant, dove and deer. William’s caught speckled trout, redfish, king mackerel, flounder, largemouth and more, but he’s never been in a duck blind.

Never has he heard a rice field full of ducks and geese chatter in the dark. Sensed the rise of a huge group from the water by the sound of simultaneous wing motion. He’ll try to strain his eyes, yet only be able to imagine the birds movement as darkness conceals their flight.

The walk down the levy will be slow and unsure. The light of the flashlight not exactly revealing what is to come next. I’m sure there will be a stuck boot here or there.

The excitement of the slide into the blind will be aided by the boys fascination with what the Labrador retriever is doing; where he’s going to set up. Anticipation will rise for his first call to action.
Once in the blind we’ll load our guns and talk about barrel swing limits and shooting lanes. I’ll ask about his safety for the 500th time of the morning and finally we’ll settle into the silence before shooting time.

The color will start to go from pitch black to soft; from there to gray and hearts will start to pound a little harder. The light will rise just enough. There will be no orange today as the rain is here and the clouds will be low. The sounds that of drops hitting rain jackets. Then out of seemingly nowhere the first group will be on us.

Hard and fast with wings cupped and webbed feet extended beautiful waterfowl will break over our decoys. The words simply, ” Take ‘Em!” Through tears of joy I’ll see that first barrel rise.
God bless nature, this morning and my son. There is nothing more amazing than time with your kids no matter what you are doing; To me the earlier in the morning the better. I guess it’s all about those beginnings.

Thank you Lord for this day, the next moment and all the great moments spent between Father and son in the field. Thank you for this sunrise and these raindrops, thank you for this opportunity. I am a lucky man.

Gotta go, the alarm finally went off.
Will
Sent from my iPhone

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