Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” was a favorite of Larry’s and mine. Listen to it here. Larry and I were both fans and, when Otis died tragically at age 26, we mourned his early death. We weren’t the only ones, as the song’s popularity skyrocketed it to the top of the Billboard charts. I’m certainly not the only one in my family with a gift for storytelling. Larry identified with Redding’s “Dock of the Bay” and I remember him telling me about it. One of his favorite … [Read more...]
Musical Memories: The White Cliffs of Dover
Music, like stories, brings us together. Last month, May 29th, we celebrated Memorial Day, a federal holiday honoring those who died while serving our country in the armed forces. On June 14th, Flag Day, we celebrated the adoption of the flag of our United States. And, in less than two weeks, we will celebrate July 4th, the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. We honor the men and women who served and are serving, as well as their families. Like a tapestry, our lives are … [Read more...]
Honoring Our Fathers
1st Lt. James L. Hull (Larry) December 28, 1945 - February 19, 1971 I dedicated my book Where the Water Meets the Sand to my daughter Laura and her father, Larry. Laura doesn’t remember Larry because he deployed to Vietnam during the summer of 1970, and on February 19, 1971, his plane crashed and he was killed while on a combat mission. Twelve days later, Laura turned two years old. Many years later, when his remains were finally repatriated to American soil and he was buried at … [Read more...]
Musical Memories: El Condor Pasa
Simon and Garfunkel’s song, “El Condor Pasa” had been a favorite since 1971. Then, and now, the words remind me of Larry and of flying, both literally and spiritually. The lyrics also reflected my gratitude—gratitude that I had been discharged from the Menninger Clinic and no longer lived on a locked ward. After leaving the Clinic, I could decide where Laura and I went, where and when we ate; I could even choose to go to Lake Shawnee for a picnic. Those types of decisions had all been made for … [Read more...]
Keep on Dancing
Seventy? Really? How did that happen? Sunday, June 4th, is my birthday. I’ll be seventy. Seventy sounds old, so I decided to do an internet search. I read, “Seventy is the beginning of old age.” Oh my! As I thought about this upcoming milestone, I reflected back on my life. I always thought the day I was born was the beginning of old age, the beginning of me until I’m not anymore, one day at a time. In lieu of the alternative, I try to live one day at a time, especially since I got sober. I … [Read more...]
