Our lives are formed by hundreds, maybe thousands, of silent dreams.
"Life should be simple. Like Mayberry."
"If we lived in a small town, I'd marry the boy next door."
"4-H and raising a calf sound romantic." (okay, *snort*)
One thing you may not know about me is that I am country. Really and truly. Now, my friends say that my purse hook gives it away -- I am not really "country."
But I am. I like to live somewhere "off the paved road" that requires a four-wheel drive to get to. I like my driveway to be so long (and not paved) that you can't see my house. I will never give up "y'all" and "yes ma'am" and "no sir." I only wear shoes when I have to. I was raised in Arkansas. I dearly love country music. I could give up just about anything before I'd give up Tim McGraw, Toby, Garth and George.
Now I don't see why country music isn't everyone's favorite. The sentimentality. The stories. The boot-scootin' boogie.
And today as I was belting out one of my favorites Don't Take the Girl, I heard the reality within the romance of marrying the boy next door.
You see, I was stationary growing up. We moved, once. To Houston (Porter, Texas, for you Sundance fans). Okay twice. We moved back. When I grew up, I wanted to move. And we have: Oklahoma, Ohio, Michigan, Japan, Idaho, and again we go. My children think they've been deprived of something: Mayberry. Never mind that Japan was Mayberry (and I'm not kidding you there). They want roots.
And then it hit me. My brother has lived in one state all his life. Is his life more romantic? Is his daughter living Sweet Home Alabama? Oh, in some ways, yes, I'm sure she is. Life is sweeter when it's plain and un-hurried.
But it seems to me that we can waste time looking for something Hollywood has sold us or Nashville has sung to us. And I don't want to end the sentimentality they package for us. But it is escape. Go ahead, let's make life as un-cluttered and real as we can and take time to enjoy what we do have and what we do want rather than pine for what we do not have or for what does not exist except in beautiful Hollywood/Nashville pipe dreams.
We know what kind of folks we are: simple and country (well, think: Luxury Farmhouse, ha). We require land and time away to recharge. A few activities here and there to stimulate the intellect but much more free time to rejuvenate the spirit. A place to kick off our shoes and run around with the dogs and a horse and a tree to climb. I know it doesn't sound like me -- but it is.
Don't Take The Girl performed by Tim McGraw
Greatest Hits
Johnny's daddy was taking him fishin'
When he was eight years old
A little girl came through the front gate holdin' a fishing pole
His dad looked down and smiled, said we can't leave her behind
Son I know you don't want her to go but someday you'll change your mind
And johnny said take jimmy johnson, take tommy thompson, take my best friend bo
Take anybody that you want as long as she don't go
Take any boy in the world
Daddy please don't take the girl
Same old boy
Same sweet girl
Ten years down the road
He held her tight and kissed her lips
In front of the picture show
Stranger came and pulled a gun
Grabbed her by the arm said if you do what I tell you to, there won't be any harm
And johnny said take my money, take my wallet, take my credit cards
Here's the watch that my grandpa gave me
Here's the key to my car
Mister give it a whirl
But please don't take the girl
Same old boy
Same sweet girl
Five years down the road
There's going to be a little one and she says it's time to go
Doctor says the baby's fine but you'll have to leave
'cause his momma's fading fast and johnny hit his knees and there he prayed
Take the very breath you gave me
Take the heart from my chest
I'll gladly take her place if you'll let me
Make this my last request
Take me out of this world
God, please don't take the girl
Johnny's daddy
Was taking him fishin'
When he was eight years old
I *do* love that song, though. That one and "She's in love with the boy" can still bring me to tears ...
--Mary Grace