Today was our daughter Izze’s first day of school as a high school junior. I feel time passing like the mile markers on an interstate. By the end of this year she will have her learner’s permit and all that goes with it. By June of next year she will be a licensed driver with her own car. To paraphrase one of my favorite poems, ‘My Daughter Asleep,’ may the Great Unknown watch over her when I cannot. The world is falling into place perhaps faster than I would like.
For today at least, both my daughter and son seem to be in good places with a future that still looks inviting.
At 80 years of age things are beginning to change for me faster than I would like. Unfortunately what I like and dislike has nothing to do with reality and acceptance seems to be more important than ever. So many people of my generation as well as the one before and after me have passed within the last couple of years. I think the ones I miss the most are ones that were a part of my still ongoing story. Most of the people that interact with this site are tuned into the ones that were a part of our musical history. Each one from our generation that we lose makes our world just a little bit smaller.
Life goes on until it doesn’t and that’s not about to change anytime soon, I find myself so fortunate that I am surrounded by people that are mostly younger than I. It keeps me from trying to replay my own story, Whether I’m driving my daughter to school at 0700 or trying to make my fingers comfortable with an unfamiliar chord position this is indeed a bonus round.
Not long before my mom passed, she said to me, ‘There is no one left alive who knew me as a girl.’ There was a distant wistfulness in her eyes as she said that. There are fewer people alive today who knew me as a boy but by the grace of G_d there are many people who know me today as a man still trying to do the next right thing. (A work in progress)
Gotta pick the kid up from school and drop her off at her gig at the pizza shop.
Tempus fugit
Not to worry, when my youngest got her drivers license Julie traded the Caravan for a Nissan 350Z, she was done with schlepping the kids to school, karate, gymnastics and wanted a nice ride. You might be done with your sportscar phase but I am sure you will find something to treat yourself with to celebrate yours and Izze’s new found freedom when the time comes.
Everybody has heard Neil’s”everybodies talking “, but most would attribute it to Nilsson
The other side is a great JA ,cover ,in my mind in the same category as Fat Angel .
I take wisdom and comfort from your words, songs and example. And I guess we keep learning and living until we don’t, whatever that is. “Life is change. See how it differs from the rocks.” My newest revelation today, at a mere 67 years, is Fred Neil. Think I wouldn’t known of him before and expect you and he crossed paths. Peace, Jorma and thanks.
@John B
Hey, John, would you mind clarifying that statement? I don’t see where there’s any season on racial injustice. It pisses me off in February as bad as it does in July, or any other month for that matter, and I’m white.
@John B
Black History Month was a new thing back then. My HS was 20-25% black, and those were turbulent times. Seeing one of my friends being dragged down the hall by her hair was not a yearbook-type memory. m
Touching words indeed. 80 years old and touring this great country, entertaining your loyal fans! Saved us through the lockdown with weekly infusions of something to look forward to. Homework to watch great movies poems, and musical inspirations. Riding your HOG and paddle boarding the lake. Walking the dogs, clearing the snow, and jamming with Hurl and Big Dog Jack. Truly an inspiration for carpe diem. Yes, Tempus fugit indeed.
Race riots in February ? That’s off season….@mikie
I just saw on the news Athens City Schools are closed until next Wednesday due to Covid among transportation staff. In the early 70’s, my high school was closed for a week or two two out of the three years I was there due to race riots in February. Sorry your daughter has to go thru this. m
” Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow . What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes .” James 4:14
I got to see my mom today for a little while……she will be 89 in March .
“Life is what happens to you while You’re busy making other plans……..”
God bless Jorma…
Great blog Jorma! I remember the days when I would drop my Daughter of at her Job at Dunkin Donuts. Always great to here about young people doing there thing and Moms and Dads enjoying the ride.
Cheers to you
Billy T
Warren RI.
What can one say to such poignant insights and reflections? You break my heart with your touching observations. Always have…
A work in progress, indeed.
“Do not go gentle into that good night…” DT
P.S.
Age can bring some serenity granted by experience. I’m finally at peace with the fact that playing my guitar in tune in New Jersey in August just ain’t gonna happen as often as I might like.
Dear Jorma,
As a fan from a distance it is a complex duality, Jorma rockstar/Jorma human being being human. Thank You for all of it!
To your eyes a thousand years
are like yesterday, come and gone,
no more than a watch in the night.
Psalm 90
Another great description of passing time as it relates to baseball, and life…(full page linked below, worth a read, I think)
A. Bartlett Giamatti,
“The Green Fields of the Mind ”
It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone. You count on it, rely on it to buffer the passage of time, to keep the memory of sunshine and high skies alive, and then just when the days are all twilight, when you need it most, it stops.
https://mason.gmu.edu/~rmatz/giamatti.html
Thoughts and Prayers…
Thank you, Jorma.
Good morning, Jorma.
Your honest (no sugarcoating) reflections on life and aging mean a lot to so many of us, even a young whippersnapper of 67 who can’t help but hear the clock faintly ticking. Much appreciate it.
Your passage today reminds me of the opening lines..”Time goes by my window.like shadows on the sun”
First heard on that sunny day in Lenox, Mass July 75 and one which will forever be emblazoned in my soul.
Thank you……..
I can relate to the bonus round.
Life takes on new meaning having overcome adversity and living in recovery.
Life just keeps opening up!💖
It makes a world of difference, especially as we get older, coming from the place of regret and loss that the years inevitably accumulate and the place of wonderment and anticipation that if fortunate begins in our youth. In fact, in my experience, there is a direct correlation between the perception of life and its quality. Jorma, your age , experience and willingness to share your perspectives have been helpful in crystallizing that for me. “I’m just a man still trying to do the next best thing” says it all. Best to you, brother.
Touching words Jorma, especially with the passing of Charlie Watts yesterday. I know you know this, but hold onto that kid as long and as tight as you can, our 19 year old daughter just moved out of the house, 400 miles away, and it tears us up every day. Live goes on. Yes, but it’s not always ideal. Thank you for being you and what you’ve given us. Cheers.