So I have an interesting taste in music. One of the songs I like is this one:
Well, since I am Tri-Instrumental - I try to teach my kids music and to pay attention to lyrics, beat, syncopation, harmony, dissonance....all that stuff to see if they recognize it and can appreciate music more....anyways....one things I have taught them to do is to "Listen" to the words - listen to the story - the message.....what else does it say beyond the words?
This song, drives me - I admire one thing about my father above all - he never gives up. A highly decorated vietnam veteran who was captured and one of less than a handful who survived some very intense engagements....he doesn't give up. He was handed not-the-best-of-hands in life but he always challenged me to be better than he was. "Son, if you want to make me happy....do better than I have....be better than your old man."
Well, this song tells me that - and reminds me of my promise in my heart that I vowed so long ago to my parents that I would do better than them. It's amazing to look on the days the sun rises and think on the times I nearly gave up and what I would have missed already with some very dark, dark, dark times behind me. More to come? Probably.....but more sunrises as well undoubtedly....I know that now and only experience could teach me that....experience from not giving up....experience gained from having a hope for something better and a willingness to hold on for just a moment longer.....and then another....
At any rate, my son listens to music with me. We have "music parties" before bedtime where I put on music and my kids "dance" to it - we even have a strobe light.
So - today while I'm in the middle of troubleshooting a financial problem for the company on a conference call - I get a phone call.....my wife asks if I have a second....I always have a second for her or my kids at the very least....I have someone on hold but they can wait a moment...
My wife passes the phone to my six year old son, who begins singing this song to me.......proud that he knew it and he knew I liked it.....and Irony of Ironies....I have someone from work on hold on the other line.
I met a man on my mission once who was dying of cancer. I told him, "I'm sorry." He said "What are you sorry for? I *KNOW* what I got. You could get hit riding your bike, you could die today. We weren't promised tomorrow. Unlike you, I know what my challenge is in life until I go....you still have to find yours and yours could be worse. Don't be sorry for me. Maybe I should feel sorry for you."
So, you weren't promised tomorrow. You weren't. It may not be there. This in mind....go call your parents, call your children, tell a friend thank you.......go say it now, whatever needs to be said - because - you weren't promised tomorrow, neither were they - but if tomorrow does come - and the tomorrow after that - you may find they came much faster than you ever wanted and will stretch into years behind you and in either instance you will be out of time.
Just say what needs to be said - before time runs out.
