I’m already home…

Apparently just the right way to start this
isn’t in the cards tonight, so I’m just going to
keep writing here & see where we go.

I’m Already Home

For a while now I’ve had the idea bouncing around in my head
that if I were to be locked in a room with a laptop & a hundred
or so country songs to lay – I’d walk out with a book.
I say that, because as much as many people make fun of country music (myself included
up until a few years ago) – the lyrics & story of so many are simply incredible.
Oh, incidently if you don’t like country I hope you’re not going to
let that check you out now. Hang in there – don’t be a wuss !

OK, I’ve been playing I’m Already Home
(http://rhsworks.com/music/Im-Already-Home.mp3)
by Tim McGraw for about the past 45 minutes.
I heard it for the first time a few weeks ago.
It’s only been tonight that I read completely through the lyrics.
You see, when I listen to it
– I hear what it invokes within in me
more than I really get the words of the song.
In this case, a man (soldier) has written a letter to his wife
– a farewell letter of sorts in the event of his death.
Here – you read it:

“You’re reading this, my mama’s sittin there
Look’s like I only got a one way ticket over here
I sure wish I could give you one more kiss
War was just a game we played when we were kids
Well I’m layin down my gun and hanging up my boots
I’m up here with God and we’re both watching over you

So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my mama always prayed that it would go
And if you’re reading this
I’m already home

If you’re reading this halfway around the world
I won’t be there to see the birth of our little girl
I hope she looks like you – I hope she fights like me
And stands up for the innocent and the weak
I’m layin down my gun and hanging up my boots
Tell dad I don’t regret that I followed in his shoes

So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my mama always prayed that it would go
And if you’re reading this
I’m already home

If you’re reading this, there’s gonna come a day
When you’ll move on and find someone else, and that’s ok
Just remember this I’m in a better place
Where soldiers live in peace and angels sing Amazing Grace

So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my mama always prayed that it would go
And if you’re reading this
If you’re reading this…
I’m already home “

I think I’m having such a hard time with this
because it pulls me in several directions.
For now I think I’ll just ask you what you would have written.

Have you ever thought about it ?
What letter would you write to those you would leave behind in this Life ?

I don’t know exactly what I would write, so I’m in the same boat you are.
Things that come to mind;
…are going to stay in my mind for now.
Let me tell you why – and you’re getting this the same time I am.
My list sounds like a laundry list of regrets
– and that’s not the message I want to leave behind.
APPARENTLY my time is not yet near, which is good news
Ah, but I’m not letting YOU off the hook
(like I do myself so many times)
I still want to know what your ‘letter left behind’ will say.
And not the one you think you’ll write in 10 years
– or that you’d like to write “someday”.
I’ll give you three days.

Now, since I keep nodding off in the chair here
(can you believe it took me 1 1/2 hours to write this ?!?!?)
I guess I’ll have to catch up to you later.

Post me your letters

)