Who knew being a full-time writer could be so hard? I've had practically no time to update my blog, which makes me immensely sad. I promised funeral songs, though, and today you're going to get them.
I think about death a lot. Not because I long for it or anything melodramatic like that. It's just that, while most kids spend the first decade of their lives not really grasping the concept of death, I went through a time in my life where I experienced the death of a loved one for several years in a row. I also grew up with a mom who suffered from various health problems. I can remember being a fourth grader, lying in my bed at night and praying that my mom would live a long, long time and be able to continue walking. That happened. She's still alive and, continued walking unaided for much longer than most doctors thought possible. There are still days, though, when I'm overcome with the worry that someday she'll be gone.
Meanwhile, my grandmother (Mamaw!) just celebrated her 89th birthday with a big surprise party filled with people she loves and who love her. There were lots of tears and lots of laughs. She's actually the person who inspired this blog. I have a love for good harmonies and sweet voices. I spent several months obsessed with a few songs, all of which I thought would be perfect to play at her funeral.
I love all these songs beyond reason. I especially love "Tomorrow Will Be Kinder" for my Mamaw. My grandpa (Papaw) died about 23 years ago. His absence left all of us pretty stunted. Mamaw has always had her issues, but the death of my grandfather definitely changed her. She misses him immensely, even after all these years. Which is pretty amusing, actually. If you ask her how she felt about my Papaw, she'll tell you she never liked him when they were younger. He was completely smitten with her and constantly came up to her family's farm with excuses to talk to her brothers... just so he could see her. He had to join the Army, go away for a while and then come back before she finally decided she liked him, too. Since then, there has never been another man for her. I know she'll be infinitely happier when she can be with him, again. That day will certainly seem much kinder.
There's one more funeral song I need to mention. It was written by the late, great Shel Silverstein. I've been told from multiple sources that somewhere there's a recording of Silverstein singing the tune "Bury Me In My Shades." But, I've yet to find it. Still... it's the song I want at my funeral. And, if no one can Silverstein version and don't want to play one of the many others. They better at least read it. I think it's a befitting way to send me on my way...
Perfect, no?
Love,
AD
