MUSIC THAT STIRS THE HEART

I love this photo of my grandnephew, Ryan Bunch, with me at Sherrie and David's horse farm.

The CD of The Mamas and the Papas just came to hand, and I put it in the computer while I puttered around. They're just the best. I love their smooth voice, beautiful harmony, and, best of all, I can hear and understand every word. And, one evening after work, I sat in my little gray and white Ford coupe and recorded the entire recording and sent the tape to Jacob, far away in Vietnam. So, of course there were many tears and sorrow as I listened to Monday, Monday with the lines that say,

"Oh Monday morning, Monday morning couldn't guarantee That Monday evening you would still be here with me."

Friday is Jacob's birthday, July 15. He was born in 1948, so this would be his unbelievable 63rd. But he gave up his life just after his 20th. He will always be leaving us again, every time we remember some wonderful thing he said or did. He was an incredible companion. Here's what Danny Smith said in an email today:

"I know how you feel about dealing with the 15th and the 19th, but isn't it wonderful that someone made that much impression on us. Just think I only knew him for about 4 months and just look at how close we got. I would give anything if you could see in my mind and see Jay on that front row at attention a waving and a grinning when he found me. I can still see it as it were yesterday."

Yes, that it's it exactly.

So, this week and next hold the two dates we especially commemorate -- July 15 for his birth and July 19 for his death. We carry his memory and the love he gave to us in our hearts every day. And we shed tears because there was no guarantee that he would be back home with us.

Goodnight.