When I was about eight years old, my Momma called the local radio station and requested my favorite Johnny Cash song to be played for my birthday. I remember listening to the radio, waiting on “Ring of Fire” to play with such rapt anticipation and wonder. We listened to it on the front steps of our house and it was a very cool thing to hear my name on the radio. I felt like a celebrity! My Momma made my birthday feel special, and I sure am thankful for her. She always made us feel special, not just on our birthdays, but she made it a big deal on that day. Shout out to all the moms who do that for your babies-they will love you so hard for doing that for them.
This week I’m on vacation. I’m writing from Orange Beach, Alabama. I’m on the beach! The Gulf of Mexico is beautiful, the weather is perfect, and Laura Gail and I will be enjoying our time of leisure together with gusto. That means sleeping till seven a.m. at our age. Every now and then, we all need to stop running the rat race and take a break. Refill your emotional, mental and recreational tanks and have some fun. We already miss the grandbabies, but we will survive. Of course, we’ll bring them something back from the beach. Souvenir shells are laying all over the place around here! And they’re free!
One last note. The difference between eight years old and fifty-nine isn’t that big. I still have problems making it to the bathroom on time. I still look funny in my own clothes. My brain doesn’t help my mouth say what I mean sometimes. I say a lot of stupid stuff that nobody understands. Especially when I reference movies that are now older than classics. I still get nervous around pretty girls. Just ask Laura Gail. I fumble talking to her every day. My favorite country artist is still Mr.Cash, but my favorite song of his is probably “I can’t help but wonder where I’m bound” and not “Ring of Fire”. Me and Older Johnny Cash have a lot more in common these days.
God bless Y’all!
Rolling Stones 