I went ahead and did it. I watched the first Christmas movie of the season last night. A nice quiet evening with Hugh Grant and Hans Gruber. I sat alone in my chair with a glass of bourbon and “Love Actually.”
The movie ends with The Beach Boys song that I chalked for today’s quote. A fitting tune for the finale that made me wonder as I prepared for nighty-nighttime.
Only God knows how our lives would be without each other. I don’t think the big man upstairs has everything planned out for us. I believe our journey is determined by fate and our own decisions.
Through the years, the first song on side two of “Pet Sounds” has evolved and changed perspective as I’ve gotten older.
The first person God knew about was my mommy. I was in the middle of her nurturing when this song popped into my life.
Then it was the flaming red head from North Oak Park that filled my heart with love. God can see the void in my life if the sparks from the early nineties didn’t exist. A flame that still exists thirty years later in an everlasting friendship.
Here comes the new millennium and the gorgeous Jayhawk out of Hinsdale. If I never did the Rock Chalk with her, I’d never have the dearest and most precious parts in my life.
God only knows what I’d be without the Shepkids. Probably a washed up obituary writer for the Times/Picayune that bartends at a dive in the French Quarter.
Maybe I’d still live all alone in Oak Park stewing over this horrible Bears team and the 121 losses last summer?
Only God knows where I’d be without the friends and love that I’ve gathered up through the last six decades.
Jeez…. Six decades!?!?!?
Two things I’d recommend from “The Jumbo List of important stuff.”
Make sure “Love Actually” is in your Christmas movie rotation.
Also, listen to The Beach Boys album, “Pet Sounds.” It is probably one of the best albums in the history of rock and roll. Brian Wilson orchestrated a collection of words and arrangements that will move your soul.
It is Thanksgiving Eve… don’t go down to Ceres after the market closes and start drinking martinis. I did that in the late nineties and God only knows what I missed out on because of that bad decision.
Is your turkey doing the brine?
Are you getting excited or a little anxious?
Enjoy your Thanksgiving Eve.
Tomorrow morning starts with a mimosa, a couple Advil, a layer of Bengay on the ankles and knees and the first TurkeyBowl in my new Dick Butkus jersey.
I’m making my goat cheese stuffed dates, wrapped in bacon and drizzled with a rosemary honey glaze.
I’ll be taking that to my flaming red head’s house from the early nineties. The one that only God knows what I’d be like without her friendship.
Always be astonished at who comes, goes and stays in your life…
