From the Desk of The DBeazy One-Man-Think-Tank

The feature image above is Skylynn Coker from Springville, Alabama, taken by her grandfather, Chris Coker, of Springville, Alabama, formerly of Columbia, Mississippi. Skylynn is 4 years old.

I have a myriad of ideas floating around in my head in which to write. Ideas can come from many places, maybe something I hear, something I eat, something visual, a memory, or even a smell. For a day to pass without me writing something is infrequent. Often, only a line or two, but always something. I’m reminded of a line from the Californication series, where the main character advises high school students to do anything other than becoming a writer because “being a writer is like having homework every day for the rest of your life.” Much of what I write never sees the light of day. But the process differs from writer to writer I suppose, and my process begins with an idea that takes root, it percolates for a while in my mind, and I will sit down and begin to write. I’m often not happy with the direction a story takes me, but the creative process often marches to its own drum.

For example, the other day, I was doing what I do. I scroll through Facebook, gauging the pulse of the nation, and the most captivating picture was there. Immediately I was struck by the image and my comment to the post was, “to say that a picture is worth a thousand words would be an understatement.” As you see in the featured image, this beautiful young lady, taken by her grandfather.

When I scrolled past this picture, I immediately scrolled back and I stared.  I mean a picture can be just that. A moment caught, but it can be so much more. Not unlike a painting in a museum, the image invokes thoughts, emotions, and feelings that cannot be denied. I achieved immediate validation when the young lady’s grandfather responded positively to my comment.

I saw this picture and within an hour or two, my daughter shared a song with me. I look at the picture of a young child, floating in a pool looking up and back at the camera and I see all of the promise that lies before her. She has no idea what awaits, all of the “firsts” that life brings, the promise of love, the expanse of the world, the innocence and the possibilities. I envy her, she’s not yet been influenced by the world, not jaded by the inescapable heartaches and disappointments that life tends to unload. I see the dreams that she will see come true and the miracles she will witness, and though I don’t personally know this child, it is my prayer that she will grow strong, confident, and courageous. I pray that she reaches for the stars, grabs hold of life’s experiences and never yields her grip.

The song that my daughter shared was a new song by John Anderson. My daughter knows my favorites and she knows the music that speaks to my heart. I subjected my daughters during their formative years to a lot of music and it pleases me that I may have influenced their musical preferences.

John Anderson and Blake Shelton team up in the song entitled “Tuesday I’ll Be Gone.” In the song, John Anderson, now 65 years old, begins to sing and his voice is just as strong, just as unique and it has always been. Looking at him though, I’d say he hasn’t fared as well in the looks department, looking much older than 65. He still has the long curly hair, now more gray than blonde, still wears a cowboy hat and still has that proprietary head movement when he sings. The song fast became a favorite and it lies somewhere between John’s “I Just Came Home to Count the Memories” and “Swingin’.” When I listen to the song, I find that I interpret its meaning from the point of view of a man of age, looking to a future, now not nearly as distant as it was maybe just ten years ago. Of course the song could be taken from the point of view of a much younger man, needing to run from a past and figure out what he wants to do with his life. I like my take on it better. From the first verse, the lyrics say that he doesn’t know where he is going, that there is no way of knowing, and the line that makes me believe it is about a man facing the end, “Tryin’ to forget the reasons why.” The words speak of a road to happiness and the fact that it might be a long one, but whatever the destination, he expects to be free from bondage.

What is the significance of these two seemingly two non-related scenes? I’m glad you asked. First of all, from the split second that I laid eyes on the picture, I felt there was a story that needed to be told. Likewise, from the moment I heard John Anderson’s new song, I knew I would write about it. The significance of the two, well, if I had to narrow it down, I would have to quote a line from “Lonesome Dove” to try to explain it best. In the scene, Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones are having a one of their arguments and Agustus (Robert Duvall) says, “Woodrow, you just don’t ever get the point – ‘It’s not dyin’ I’m talkin’ about, it’s livin’.” The picture of Skylynn Coker from Springville, Alabama represents a journey not yet taken. A journey through this crazy existence called Life, still filled with hope and possibility, a journey where ANYTHING can happen, ANYTHING can be accomplished. This, compared to a man, any man, facing the dimming light, moving from the mistakes, and endeavoring to make the best of what is left.

As I close this piece, I say to Skylynn, go out and make the very best life for yourself and never quit. Be all that you can and do life right. As for John Anderson, well, John, we don’t have long. It may seem that we’ve done nothing; accomplished little, but there is still tomorrow, and hopefully, the day after that.

As for your choice of Tuesday John, well, seems like as good of a day as any.

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