Happy Father's Day!

[bigsbybender]

Happy Father's day to all you Dads out there.....

I know the gratitude I owe my dad.  He taught me how to play guitar and gave me the enough technical curiosity to begin working on and then building things..like amps, guitars, among other things.   He's long retired but stays busier than ever....restoring older homes. Recently he's slowed down and is plagued by some nasty aches and pains. It's hard to see happen, but it's given me the chance to see and appreciate all that he has done for people and we've taken for granted.

I don't have any children of my own....but I'd hope to be what he has been as a father.
I am a teacher at a K-8 school for children with severe emotional and behavioral disorders and I find I use his methods all of the time when dealing with children. Many of these children do not have a positive male role-model in their lives, or someone to teach them to play Baseball, Soccer or Football. It's something I took for granted...and try to fill in as much as I can for father-less children at the school. I feel I had an excellent teacher and role-model in my Father.

So for all you fathers that are raising kids or successfully raised their kids, give yourself a pat on the back...this day is for you!


-j.

[sluckey]

Happy Father's day to all you Dads out there.....

Amen! And for all you musicians out there who just happen to be sons or daughters of musicians, give a listen to Dan Fogelberg's "Leader of the Band", or at least try to recall a few words.

An only child alone and wild, a cabinet maker's son
His hands were meant for different work
And his heart was known to none
He left his home and went his lone and solitary way
And he gave to me a gift I know I never can repay

A quiet man of music denied a simpler fate
He tried to be a soldier once, but his music wouldn't wait
He earned his love through discipline-- a thundering, velvet hand
His gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand

(Chorus)
The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul
My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man
I'm just a living legacy to the leader of the band

My brothers' lives were different for they heard another call
One went to Chicago and the other to St Paul
And I'm in Colorado when I'm not in some hotel
Living out this life I've chose and have come to know so well

I thank you for the music and your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go
I thank you for the kindness and the times when you got tough
And, papa, I don't think I said 'I love you' near enough

(Chorus)

I am a living legacy to the leader of the band

[Dynaflow]

 Yeah, I appreciate my dad getting me started years ago. He unfortunately passed at 54 in 1969 when I was 12. I do however always say a thanks and look skyward on Fathers day, I believe he's still proud here or not and know he's been to my gigs before. If you have your dad around still do remember to tell him how much you love em, things can turn on a dime and you'll never feel sorry about not having told him. I learned that after my older brothers accident that almost killed him, since then I tell all I love when ever I see or talk to them how much I love them. Thats what life is about, family and love, the other stuff is just a bonus. 

Regards,

Dyna