The Fall is my most favorite time of year, even though it always leads to a longing reflection of what I'd do over if I could. I figure most of us have those instances, decisions, those things we'd do differently if we could......
I'm looking out the front windows of our office, pining quietly to actually to be out in such wonderful weather, and listening to Billy Joel. Specifically, "Keeping the Faith". Lyrics are posted below, specifically those that are helping me remember that I am only what my experiences have made me. We've had a good bit of family tradgedy/drama/blessing lately and I think it's appropriate that it has happened on the eve of this particular season. There is nothing like failing and having to pick yourself up (I lost a lot of fights but they taught me how to lose okay)........nothing like having someone throw every bad decision you've ever made in your face in an attempt to drive you into a shameful abyss, not realizing you made peace with your past a long time ago (If you think I'm feeling older and missing my younger days, Oh, then you should have known me much better, Cause my past is something that never got in my way)........nothing like living your life in front of your children, who in their own maze of self-discovery berate the things you do or have done inevitably only to repeat some of the same mistakes.......Today, on the eve of this 2011 Fall, Billy Joel is helping me keep it all in perspective....and I wanted to share a little of that here.
I am glad, even thankful, at moments even proud, of all the crooked paths I've taken. I never would've become who I am today without them. And while you may not like who I've become, personally I just don't care, because I'm okay with me........
May your paths be crooked so that God can show you Himself in the turns you take in darkness,
Lyrics to "Keeping the Faith"
If it seems like I've been lost in let's remember
If you think I'm feeling older and missing my younger days
Oh, then you should have known me much better
Cause my past is something that never got in my way
Oh no
Still I would not be here now if I never had the hunger
And I'm not ashamed to say the wild boys were my friends
Oh, 'Cause I never felt the desire 'til their music set me on fire
And then I was saved, yeah
That's why I'm keeping the faith
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, keeping the faith
We wore matador boots [read flat white keds]
Only Flagg Brothers had them with the Cuban heel
Iridescent socks with the same color shirt
And a tight pair of chinos [rolled up, of course]
Oh, I put on my shark skin jacket
You know the kind with the velvet collar
And ditty-bop shades, oh yeah
I took a fresh pack of Luckies and a mint called Sen-Sen
My old man's Trojans and his Old Spice after shave
Oh, I combed my hair in a pompadour
Like the rest of the Romeos wore a permanent wave, yeah
We were keeping the faith
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, keeping the faith
You can get just so much from a good thing
You can linger too long in your dreams
Say goodbye to the "Oldies But Goodies"
Cause the good ole days weren't always good [ain't that the truth]
And tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems [thank goodness]
Learned stickball as a formal education [kickball]
Lost a lot of fights but it taught me how to lose O.K.
Oh, I heard about sex but not enough
I found you could dance and still look tough anyway, oh yes I did
I found out a man ain't just being macho
Ate an awful lot of late night drive-in food
Drank a lot of take-home pay
I thought I was the Duke of Earl
When I made it with a red-haired girl in the Chevrolet
Oh yeah, we were keeping the faith
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, keeping the faith
You know the good ole days weren't always good
And tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems
Now I told you my reasons for the whole revival
Now I'm going outside to have an ice cold beer in the shade
Oh, I'm going to listen to my 45's
Ain't it wonderful to be alive
When the rock 'n' roll plays, yeah
When the memory stays, yeah
I'm keeping the faith
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, keeping the faith
I'm keeping the faith, yes I am
You know I'm keeping the faith, oh yes I am
You know I'm keeping the faith, oh you are
(FADE: You know I'm keeping the faith, oh yeah...)
