Sunday, June 20, 2010

Bittersweet Symphony

Today is bittersweet for two reasons. It's Father's Day and I'd really love to be able to spend the day with my dad. I think he'd be quite proud and interested in where I've been since he left this earth and where I am now, where I'll be in the future. Plus, I'm sure there was more he had to teach me, certainly more questions I would like to ask of him about his music, his art, his life. I'd like to watch him again in action sitting beside someone at the mall that he didn't know who was wearing a Sari or a turban or a yarmulke. He would ask questions, greet them in their native tongue and may ultimately get into a "discussion" on politics or religion. There was always a "discussion" at our house when the unknowing Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormon's would come to the door. My dad loved to debate religion, much to my mother's chagrin.

It's bittersweet secondly because today is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. I love that it's officially summer. I love that it's the longest day of the year. But, summer seems to slip by so quickly and before I know it, all of a sudden, I'm smack dab in the middle of October staring down the face of winter. I love that the daylight will be sticking around as long as possible today before giving way to darkness. However, the days to follow the Summer Solstice mean each one is just one second less than the day before. It's almost like death, till we finally reach the true death when fall arrives and everything goes to sleep for the winter.

Every year I say I'm going to live each summer day to it's fullest. I'm going to spend every waking moment in the sunshine as a way to store it all up inside me so when the winter comes I have some left over to chase away the winter blues.

"Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life, Trying to make ends meet, Trying to find some money then you die, I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you to the places, where all the veins meet yeah."

3 comments:

MarkD60 said...

I never got along with my Dad when he was alive, but I miss him now. And every once in a while I reach for the phone to call him and remember I can't anymore

Bone said...

I always dread seeing the 4th of July pass, because from that point on it seems like I'm summer is leaving in a hurry and I'm trying to chase it.

Sorry for your bittersweet feelings. You've a friend in Alabama.

michaelm said...

Just going through some writing and read something where I linked to you (and several others)
Yours is the only blog still valid.
Hope you are well.
I am currently not blogging but writing a book.
A visit to Boston in the future?
Take care kiddo.
Miss ya.
~m