Remembering Life in F Major

In my last post, I lamented about loss.  In and out of my moments of distress, I've also noticed that others are experiencing the same thing.  Whether you are a celebrity, a "regular" person or someone else of note; loss affects us all and sometimes bring us together.  In fact, it feels kind of odd to feel such a kinship with someone I don't know personally, who has skillfully painted a painful corner of my life's canvas through his music.

The other night, I went to the mother church in Nashville and sat among the handicapped in the back.  I felt every inch of my handicap, physically and philosophically.  I was there to hear Glen Campbell, another poor soul who is battling Alzheimer's.  His musical talent was so strong and steady that it seemed hard to believe that his mental facilities were slipping.  The reminders of his handicap were there though, flaunting it's ugliness and exposing Campbell's vulnerability from the first moments until the end of the concert.

As he had to stop and start songs, the audience didn't mind.  During those vulnerable moments of his performance, it was then when the applause was louder, more enthusiastic and determined.  The look on his face exposed true surprise and gratitude for the forgiveness of his disease's imperfection.  That night, he forgot names, lyrics, guitar riffs at various times of the performance.

The thing he didn't forget is being able to sing with a soulfulness and emotion in his songs that sewed the fabric of my childhood together.  There with the mismatched patterns, various colors and stitching, all connected through the poignancy of music.  And, he announced to the audience that one of my favorite songs was in F Major.  He was pleased to have remembered that detail.

So was I

More Musings Later- 

Rest in Peace, Dan Fogelberg

For those who haven't heard...Dan Fogelberg passed away from Cancer at 6am this morning. He died with his wife, Jean by his side at home in Maine. He was 56 years old.

He leaves behind a wealth of songs and artistry. For me? I was slow to warm up to his music, but I remember when I did get hooked. The songs were "Stars" and "To the Morning."

Dan also used to lived in Kingston Springs, Tennessee which is about 30 minutes outside Nashville. Hearing stories around town of when he lived here made him feel like a neighbor even if he didn't live next door to me. I'll miss Dan. Thanks for the music and lyrics.

To The Morning

by Dan Fogelberg

Watching the sun...watching it come Watching it come up over the rooftops

Cloudy and warm...maybe a storm You can never quite tell from the morning

(Chorus)

And it's going to be a day There is really no way to say no to the morning

Yes it's going to be a day There is really nothing left to say but come on morning

Waiting for mail Maybe a tale from an old friend or even a lover Sometimes there's none

But we have fun thinking of all who might have written

(Chorus)

And maybe there are seasons And maybe they change

And maybe to love is not so strange

The sounds of the day Now they hurry away Now they are gone until tomorrow

When day will break and you will wake And you will rake your hands across your eyes and realize

That it's going to be a day There is really no way to say no to the morning

Yes it's going to be a day

There is really nothing left to say but come on morning

And maybe there are seasons and maybe they change

And maybe to love is not so strange

Dan Fogelberg

1951 - 2007

Come on Mornin, indeed....Rest in Peace.