Reading these lyrics sent my mind and heart on a long-distance drive I'll not be making ever again, from PA to Paducah, in western Kentucky. Two months ago, my 71 year old brother died there (victim of Alzheimer's and diabetes). Seven years before, our dad died at 89 from Alzheimer's. Kurt had been the only one of we four siblings who had close proximity as our dad aged. For more than a dozen years, I made the trek across most of PA, through Ohio and the length of KY to see them both - at least twice a year, if not more. I know those roads all too well, the serious thrum of tires on interstate concrete, spring coming on, summer's heat helping the corn, autumn's colors' distractions. I'm seeing all of that through different eyes, now that I know I'll not see those 500 Miles (plus more). I'll miss them, of course; but I can be on the road in heart and mind with thoughts and feelings too many to count whenever grief and gladness tap me on the shoulder. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to put into words the seemingly lesser travels (no Rockies and their grandeur) that are part of that same Creation. Now I have a song/lyrics to be my companion. Steve Engelhardt, a grateful 60's fan.
In 2022, I had the wonderful experience of traveling the west by car with my son-in-law and two of my three grandsons. We traveled South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. Visited some of the most beautiful places in the world. I was blessed by the beauty and grandeur of this magnificent country but more to be companions on this journey with those I love. It was a bucket list trip for me in so many ways; the world looks different when you are part of the picture, the relationship with loved ones is confirmed, and the learning is continuous. The Lord blesses us abundantly, but we sometimes miss the real blessings most important to us.
My husband and I went to England on a tour of some of the great cathedrals in this beautiful country. The cathedrals were also stunningly beautiful, and so immense and yet meticulously decorated, built in the time before electricity and the powerful machines available now. They reminded us that we are part of something bigger and better than we, as individuals, can be. This is something still alive and growing, and it is our privilege and responsibility to contribute to the effort.
I love the affection seen in all three of your faces! Great pic! I traveled with my mother as she revisited her childhood home in Sweden. I rode the train she took to school, saw the trees my grandfather had planted next to their house, saw the woods she would gather mushrooms and blueberries in, met her girlfriends, and had her favorite candies and cookies from there. It was a journey of discovering the world through the younger eyes of my mother. A trip that is forever precious to me.
Jan 15·edited Jan 15Liked by Jeanne Torrence Finley
Nice essay - love your poetic lyrics - Good Looking family! I did the drive across country a couple times in a van with my band and music equipment. Since we were so young (18-20) the memories of the grandeur of our big country and our bonding - are strong. God Bless America - we could use some love vibes from the source right about now. Hope you had a great trip!
Great pic of you and your grandsons, Noel. Jeanne and I drove Rt 66 in 2019. It was an opportunity for me to see part of her childhood in Texas and enjoy her memories. For me, that was the best part of the trip.
A wonderful post and great to see you with your grandsons!
And now I've spent half the day learning (or trying to learn) Coast to Coast, a gorgeous song I was not familiar with. I'm a little stuck on the lyrics for the bridge. How's this?
And oh, the hand that holds us
And the heart that breaks and bleeds
The arms that would enfold us
With tears translate the need
Virtue falls on our folly
Kindness follows fate
The graciousness of glory and oh, it’s not too late
Reading these lyrics sent my mind and heart on a long-distance drive I'll not be making ever again, from PA to Paducah, in western Kentucky. Two months ago, my 71 year old brother died there (victim of Alzheimer's and diabetes). Seven years before, our dad died at 89 from Alzheimer's. Kurt had been the only one of we four siblings who had close proximity as our dad aged. For more than a dozen years, I made the trek across most of PA, through Ohio and the length of KY to see them both - at least twice a year, if not more. I know those roads all too well, the serious thrum of tires on interstate concrete, spring coming on, summer's heat helping the corn, autumn's colors' distractions. I'm seeing all of that through different eyes, now that I know I'll not see those 500 Miles (plus more). I'll miss them, of course; but I can be on the road in heart and mind with thoughts and feelings too many to count whenever grief and gladness tap me on the shoulder. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to put into words the seemingly lesser travels (no Rockies and their grandeur) that are part of that same Creation. Now I have a song/lyrics to be my companion. Steve Engelhardt, a grateful 60's fan.
In 2022, I had the wonderful experience of traveling the west by car with my son-in-law and two of my three grandsons. We traveled South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. Visited some of the most beautiful places in the world. I was blessed by the beauty and grandeur of this magnificent country but more to be companions on this journey with those I love. It was a bucket list trip for me in so many ways; the world looks different when you are part of the picture, the relationship with loved ones is confirmed, and the learning is continuous. The Lord blesses us abundantly, but we sometimes miss the real blessings most important to us.
My husband and I went to England on a tour of some of the great cathedrals in this beautiful country. The cathedrals were also stunningly beautiful, and so immense and yet meticulously decorated, built in the time before electricity and the powerful machines available now. They reminded us that we are part of something bigger and better than we, as individuals, can be. This is something still alive and growing, and it is our privilege and responsibility to contribute to the effort.
I love the affection seen in all three of your faces! Great pic! I traveled with my mother as she revisited her childhood home in Sweden. I rode the train she took to school, saw the trees my grandfather had planted next to their house, saw the woods she would gather mushrooms and blueberries in, met her girlfriends, and had her favorite candies and cookies from there. It was a journey of discovering the world through the younger eyes of my mother. A trip that is forever precious to me.
Nice essay - love your poetic lyrics - Good Looking family! I did the drive across country a couple times in a van with my band and music equipment. Since we were so young (18-20) the memories of the grandeur of our big country and our bonding - are strong. God Bless America - we could use some love vibes from the source right about now. Hope you had a great trip!
Great pic of you and your grandsons, Noel. Jeanne and I drove Rt 66 in 2019. It was an opportunity for me to see part of her childhood in Texas and enjoy her memories. For me, that was the best part of the trip.
ah, bless you roger! thanks for the endorsement of the blanchard tune. have always loved his perspective on Love's connection with us all...
Thank you.
Congratulations!!!!
A wonderful post and great to see you with your grandsons!
And now I've spent half the day learning (or trying to learn) Coast to Coast, a gorgeous song I was not familiar with. I'm a little stuck on the lyrics for the bridge. How's this?
And oh, the hand that holds us
And the heart that breaks and bleeds
The arms that would enfold us
With tears translate the need
Virtue falls on our folly
Kindness follows fate
The graciousness of glory and oh, it’s not too late
It’s not too late
Gratitude,
Roger
hey roger, you got most of it...i'll go back and add the bridge...
and just slight but 'touching' readjustments of what you heard below:
And oh, the hand that holds us,
The heart that breaks and bleeds...
The arms that would enfold us
When tears translate the need
Affection falls on our folly,
Kindness follows fate:
The graciousness of glory...
I swear it’s not too late...It’s not too late
Awesome, Noel! Thanks so much for this. I love the song and especially the guitar accompaniment which I think I've got a good handle on.
Bright blessings!
Roger