News from the Great Beyond

Musings... On Picking and Grinning

I was driving home from work this evening, and my nose started to tickle - on the inside. I was about to reach up and deal with the itch, but then I realized that I was just about to pass another car, and didn't want this complete stranger that I may never see again to assume that I was just driving along picking my nose.

This train of thought made me think of a story from the past that I decided I had to share with you. It's a quirky little bit of reminiscing, and it starts back when my old roommate was in high school and I was on the volunteer youth staff at church. We used to hang out a lot outside of church, and she moved into my place after a year of college and some family issues that resulted in her needing a place to stay.

She was thoroughly grossed out by nose-picking. I mean, pathologically. She attributed this to the fact that she lived in close contact throughout her childhood with her brother and an uncle who had no compunction about "digging for gold" in front of her, and variously flicking and wiping (or possibly eating) the boogers. She was so freaked out by nose-picking that she frankly refused to do it herself. Ever. Even when she was alone.

May 19, 2001

Maybe it's intuition
But some things you just don't question
Like in your eyes, I see my future in an instant
And there it goes,
I think I found my best friend
I know that it might sound
More than a little crazy
But I believe........

I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life

There's just no rhyme or reason
Only the sense of completion
And in your eyes, I see
The missing pieces I'm searching for
I think I've found my way home
I know that it might sound
More than a little crazy
But I believe

I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life

A thousand angels dance around you
I am complete now that I've found you

I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life

I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life

I Knew I Loved You - as recorded by Savage Garden

Small World Syndrome

Subtitled "The strange link between Phoenix, Arizona and Southern Illinois".

Yesterday I noticed that I got a comment on one of my posts from Pragmatik, who found my site through the "recently updated weblogs" on Typepad. I followed his link to discover that he's a grad student at my alma mater, SIU-Carbondale.

Realizing that I have never mentioned my college by name on this site, I thought it was a "youuuuge" (TM Donald Trump) coincidence that he found my blog at all... but that since I've been in Phoenix, connections to Southern Illinois just keep popping up. And not just in my dreams, where somehow the entire community of Southern Illinois manages to transplant itself to somewhere in the vicinity of Mesa, Arizona.

Happy Birthday, Daddy...

MORE THAN I CAN SAY

Reaching back I can remember long summer days
spent by your side in the garage,
playing at woodworking with scraps of lumber
and a child-size set of tools...
I remember hours splashing in the pool,
holding on tight and making up new games...
You were my favorite playmate then,
a comforting presence to cling to,
a solid source of strength.

As I grew I always knew where I could run
for sound advice, and constant love
from someone who was always on my side.
Maybe I was a little spoiled, but I always felt
protected, supported, and cared for...
Looking back, that is worth more than I can say.

And strange as it seems to me, here I am,
all grown up and on my own, miles from home...
But even from this distance I can feel your love and support,
and I know you're still watching out for me,
cheering me on.
I don't know how I can repay you
for everything you've given through the years,
except to say "I love you" once again.

And even though I've made it this far,
I still need your advice and comfort, love and support...
Sometimes it's still good to know that someone
is always on my side.
Even big girls need a daddy.

den 23mar99

In Memory of Donald Bradley Smith
23 March 1931 - 20 May 2001.

Get the Kleenex ready...

Linking to this story through the blog where I found it, because I think he deserves to be read too...

The story is heartwrenching in itself, but for me it makes me think of my daddy, who died of a brain tumor less than 12 hours after my wedding in 2001.

Someday I'll share that story - right now, most people who read this blog with any regularity are friends and family who already know. The rest of you probably don't care - but I'll share it anyway. Someday.

The Elvis Press Tent Memoirs

Have been thinking for the past couple of days about Cornerstone Festival (follow the link - it's easier than explaining it), specifically about years past when I used to go every year... and all the people I met there. Some of 'em I'm still in touch with (shout out to Kev Isleb, woohoo!), and some of them I haven't heard from in years.

So, for those who went with me to various Cornerstone Festivals between 1988 and 1993 (when I left Illinois for the Great Hot State of AZ), a list of people and things I remember. Perhaps some of the people will find this site while ego-surfing, and leave a note.