Rocky Mountain Bye

"To sail on a dream on a crystal clear ocean,
To ride on the crest of a wild raging storm.
To work in the service of life and the living,
In search of the answers to questions unknown.
To be part of the movement and part of the growing,
Part of beginning to understand..."

I had not given it much thought until two days ago, but tomorrow (October 12) is the eleventh anniversary of John Denver's passing. I vaguely remember being around seventeen years old and purchasing a vinyl copy of one of Denver's many "Greatest Hits," due primarily to the fact that I enjoyed the song "Calypso," from which the lyrics above are excerpted.

Nearly two year's ago, I bought yet another Greatest Hits collection, this time on compact disc, due to the inclusion of both "Annie's Song" and "Thank God I'm a Country Boy." Though I am neither a country boy, or old enough to really remember Denver's hay day, his music and causes have been part of my general consciousness for nearly twenty-one years. Plus, my wife's name is Annie, too, and the sentiments expressed in his song--written after an argument with his then wife, Annie--invoke the feelings I have for my Annie.

It's likely that you may very well come across some sort of tribute for John on this anniversary, and when you do, try and not recognize at least one or two of his songs... well, if you enjoy the "out of doors," anyway, as his music and spirit seem to permeate much of this facet of American culture.

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!