Just sitting here in room 3107 listening to the songs that shape my life. Songs that tell a story. Today my hat is off to a music man name Jamey Johnson.
About three years ago I was walking the track at Gulf Correctional Institute when a song came across the radio that struck me to the core. The song was High Cost of Living by Mr. Johnson. The song goes on to say it ain’t nothing like the cost of getting high. He speaks of all the life drugs rob you of. I remember hearing the song and immediately I was in a re-run of my life. There I was, walking a track in one of Florida’s hardest prisons. Lost in thought about what my drug use had taken from me.
Well…a few years have gone by and they don’t play that song much on the radio no more. So when I went down to download new songs to my MP3, I punched in a request for High Cost of Living.
Sitting here now, I have a change of perspective. Last time I heard the song I was one foot in
prison, one foot still in the free world.
Today, I’m both feet in sobriety.
I have a whole new appreciation for these lyrics. Instead of crying over what I lost, I can
smile at the chance I have to get I all back.
And I’m well on my way.
My very next music choice was a little number by Mr. Jimmy
Buffet….A Pirate Looks at 40. I smile as I tap my foot thinking to
myself I too am a pirate born in the wrong year. Instead of sailing the seas in search of
treasure, I was digging to the bottom of a cereal box to find it. I was raised eating Pop Rocks and french
rolling my pants. Back when a pack of
smokes rolled up in your t-shirt sleeve was the cool look.
These days kids run around in skinny jeans, wearing their
sneakers in neon colors. They have no
idea was “french roll” is….and if you have a youngster sporting skinny jeans
and a shag hair cut….that’s the new rebel.
Just smile…there’s a whole lot worse stuff he could be into. Look where my two feet are planted. Be happy your youngster has two feet on a
skateboard. Keep him that way.
My daughter is on her way to being 16. She’s 15 and a half now. I figure I’ll throw that in since kids seem
to want you to recognize that extra few months of life. She’s not smoking cigarettes behind the
skating rink like I was. She has her
butt in a church pew instead. She gets
good grades in school and is the best thing I ever did with my 33 years of
life. She has my talent to make art and
she makes me proud. One day I hope to
make her proud as well.
I have a past history of addiction and miles of mistakes and
poor choices. Still…I sort through it
all and make the best of it. What’s your
past look like?
My friend told me the other day she married the wrong
man. Yet she has two beautiful children
to show for that mess.
Even on a cloudy day we know the sun is up there. Somewhere…trying to shine through. Learning to see life through eyes filled with
love is priceless.
A special thanks to Jamey Johnson and Mr. Jimmy Buffett for
letting the sun shine through my clouds.
As always, a special thanks to my lady, my daughter, my mother and all
my sisters….the women who stand beside me. My hats off to you all.
