Thanks Jim, and you are so right!
I was VERY happy to see Lakewood's walkways get cleared so quickly yesterday.
Hard to believe that it was three years ago this week that Dad died.
Just sitting here quietly reflecting, and then, this perky little song pops back up to cheer me and everyone up again!
Yes, it was three years ago THIS WEEK, Dad and I were sitting in the breakfast room, and we finished up writing this song, inspired by a shoveling Lakewood mother who just wanted all the kids on our street to be safe.
We would then go out for lunch, return home, and Dad would go upstairs for his nap, and then suddenly pass away.
It would be our last song together.
Dad and Mom wrote popular songs during and after WWII. They were quite a team. As I was growing up, they taught me so much about music and songwriting. After Mom passed away, I bought Dad a music writing program. He learned to use the computer and we worked together on band marches for Lakewood's schools and other projects as well. Our most widely recognized musical project was "The American Veterans Last Salute March" that was performed by the American Festival Pops Orchestra on the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, with Dad conducting, and me performing on the Civil War battle drum. Dad had served in the U.S. Army band in WWII, and was a Lakewood music teacher from 1958-1983.
We actually received Congressional Recognition for writing that march, and for our service to Lakewood. You can view that here, if you'd like:
https://www.congress.gov/congressional- ... le/E1945-5
I mention this, not in ANY way to seek further publicity, more pats on the back, or recognition, but rather to amplify how EACH of us, everyday, in the VERY limited time allotted to us in life, have the opportunity to make choices that can positively impact the rest of us. Those choices can help to make a better world for everyone, and a better Lakewood too!
It is so easy to look at things from the outside and tear stuff down. It is much more difficult to pitch in, lend a hand, and build. It takes so much longer to build than to destroy, but it is worth it.
As with that lady and her little shovel, good deeds ripple out like the waves from that proverbial pebble that splashes into the quiet waters of a pond.
It's been said in life that some people leave a legacy, and others leave a trail...
If you find it hard to build, I suppose you can always shovel.
Or if you need someone to do it for you, that's fine. Just remember that there is always SOMETHING that we can do for each other, even if it's just a smile.
The quickest path to unhappiness, in my opinion, is to dwell on one's own condition. When we start to think about helping others however? Joy begins.
Back to the banjo...
