When all the dark clouds roll away, And the sun begins to shineI see my freedom from across the way, And it comes right in on time
Well it shines so bright and it gives so much light
Yeah, and it comes from the sky above
Makes me feel so free, makes me feel like me and lights my life with love
[Chorus]
And it seems like (Seems like)…And it feels like (Feels like)
And it seems like (Seems like)…Yes, it feels like (Feels like)
A brand new day (A brand new day) A brand new day, yeah
Yeah, yeah (A brand new day)
I was lost and double crossed, With my hands behind my back
I was longtime hurt and thrown in the dirt, Shoved out on the railroad track
I've been used, abused and so confused
And I didn't have nowhere to run
But I stood and looked, and my eyes got hooked
On that beautiful morning sun
And the sun shines down all on the ground
Yeah, and the grass is oh-so green
Yeah, and my heart is still and I've got the will
Yeah, and I don't really feel so mean
Here it comes, here it comes
Here it comes right now, till it comes right in on time
Well it eases me and it pleases me and it satisfies my mind
Happy Easter!
Ricky died last week. He(?) was Harvey’s beta fish. Harvey’s 8 years old. A towhead mop top, charisma king & friend-to-everyone, empathy-embodied sweetheart. Yes, I am bias but his 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Simmons told us the same. As have all his previous teachers. And many others. Ricky lasted almost 3 years. Not a bad run for a beta fish. Harvey found him Wednesday night… stuck in the weeds, literally… motionless in his little fake plastic tree. I asked if we should have a funeral for him but Harvey didn’t want to see Ricky limp & lifeless…Wanted to remember him as the silver-blue spunky spirit who cast colorful shadows on the wall while we did stories into dreamland. So I promptly climbed the stairs to the boys room and dipped a solo cup coffin into Ricky’s world and proceeded down the hall to the porcelain funeral home. After a quick “he was a good fish” (whispered) I lowered (dump, splash) Rick into his watery grave. Pshew! He sprang back to life for a couple victory laps around the bowl. Quick & clumsy I scooped him up and ran him back to his tank only to watch him sink to the bottom. Motionless. Damn, death is confusing…
Later at bedtime. Harvey, sad & solemn, asked…“Why do we have to die?” (record scratch, knife in heart). One would think, having purchased a living creature for a six year old to adore and call his own, that one might consider the right words to say here in this inevitable moment… But, nope. Nothin’. The evolutionary “dad thing” I talked about a couple songs back must’ve kicked into gear or something because even though I was speechless, even though my breaking heart yearned to say ANYthing that would give him comfort and make him not scared… I froze… and all I could come up with was…“So we can live, Buddy. It’s just part of the deal”…. To which he replied ”Yeah, but why can’t we just live forever?” to which I mustered … “Maybe we do, Bud. Maybe… we do…”
—
My parents are sailing towards 80. Months & years of deliberation have led them to move into an assisted living community less than an hour away. We’re Delco born and raised but they’ve spent the last 15 years enjoying retirement 300 miles away in Lynchburg, VA across the street from my sister’s family. Especially the grand babies. Who are now grand full-growns.
Things in our family, like many(all?) families, haven’t been the most… harmonious. Mom & Dad had three kids who grew into three very different thinkers and we have not been spared from the fall out in our countries ongoing epidemic of division. In the words of Van, it has left us…’used, abused and confused’… I’ve tried to talk it out with Dad. But, efforts to connect through conversation lead to games of convince-you-with-facts ping pong that never end in changed minds or unified understanding… It frustrates me. I get angry. I retreat. Back to my safe, algorithmically cultivated reality… Later. But, angry or not… here they come.
What to do? How to heal? Why do people fight? Why do relationships die?
Do they find resurrection?
Fortunately, I have a great teacher. A real Rabbouni (teacher in Hebrew). My bike buddy, drum tech & associate at Wellness Efficiency Enterprise Directors (that’s our secret society, shhhh;)… Over the years I’ve watched him command with zen mastery a role that still fumbles & stumbles me daily… I’m talking about the Bread-Winning-Wife Supporting, Kid Corralling House Dad (aka Pro Dadbod aka Calendar King aka Uber Dude aka Everything Exec…). I heard he once did 7 laundry loads, taught two yoga classes, performed 3 pick up and drop offs, chopped(and stacked!) 1/2 a cord of red oak AND took a piano lesson with his daughter…all BEFORE dinner! …which he made (legend says it was delicious too).
Ron’s a good listener too. On bikes he’s listened to me pontificate & bitch for a few thousand hours… at least. Always interested. Always curious. It’s hard to find friends like Ronnie.
In recent years, after having successfully launched his oldest into college towards a promising career and raising his youngest into an independent, strong, powerful teenager, Ron’s found himself with a little more time. Time he’s decided would be well spent visiting his parents back in ‘the homeland’ where he spawned a project disguised as ‘finishing the basement.’ But really he was creating a venue to work on his relationship with his Dad. Which bared resemblance to mine. The result : hours of healing, human hang time and a pretty sweet crash pad taboot. A space to find space… By getting out of his head and into the room Ronnie built a brand new day for him & his Pop… I’m watching. Hopefully learning…
“But I stood and looked and my eyes got hooked on that beautiful morning sun”
It’s been quite the week here in Dogtown. Spring break. Holy week. Lot’s of extra…everything. An epic drum fill to the normal groove. Tuesday, 3 days after Ricky’s passing, Harvey woke at the normal time; ass crack of dawn. On this rare occasion I was up before him. Couldn’t sleep & been up dancing with a couple friends; Disagreement Anger & Political Dread… Another crazy headline rippling into a sea of commentary delivered straight to my hand…How convenient.
“Here it come sure it comes here it comes right now here it comes right in on time”
Harvey came down the steps aglow. An Easter Rabbit bouncing a bit brighter and spry than usual, he greeted me with a squeeze and said “I’m in a good mood this morning!” It was…yep, a brand new day. Ricky not forgotten but the sadness was. Harvey letting go & lighting up my world… Hey teach, how you do that?? …I’m starting to think Harvey & Ronnie are in cahoots to school my ass.
“Yeah my heart is filled yeah I got the will yet I don't really feel so mean…
…Here it come sure it comes here it comes right now…”
It’s Easter. Life! Newness. Jubilance. The perennial rhythms opening drum fill. The annual dawn cracking open like an egg. A Brand New Day. What to find under the gold foil? A gooey marshmallow middle? Will it be hollow? What’s coming up in your dirt? Tulips, I hope. Me, I gotta roll a stone away & see my father.
Happy Easter,
d
Gig Schedule
- 4/19 Chris Kasper / 1812 Brewery / Cumberland, MD
- 4/20 EASTER & Every Sunday: St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church / Chester Springs, PA
- 4/24 Twins of Jones (Kiwi & Roy) / Barley Mow / W. Reading, PA / 6-9p
- 4/25 Chris Kasper w/ The Lowlands / Sellersville Theater / Sellersville, PA
- 5/2 DSB2 / Other Farm Brewing Co. / Boyertown, PA
- 5/3 Manatawny Creek Ramblers / Private KY Derby Party
- 5/9 Neo Trio / Mikes Tavern / Reading, PA / 8-11p
- 5/11 Manatawny Creek Ramblers / Brother’s on the Brandywine / 2-5p
- 5/16 Philly Nelson / Brickette Lounge / West Chester, PA / 9pm
- 5/18 Frog Holler / West Reading, PA
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