I had an email the other day from a long-ago colleague and friend in Phoenix.
He said after 45 years in Arizona, he's moving back to California to be closer to the children and grandchildren of he and his wife.
He pointed out that the two of them were now closer to 80 than 70 and all of their family lives there.
Well, I'm nearly halfway through my 84th year on the planet and I sympathized with him as I thought of all of the friends that I've lost in recent years.
The Old Gang is getting smaller every day, it seems.
All of this came up because of news of the death of Kris Kristofferson this past weekend.
He, along with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willy Nelson once formed a group they called The Highwaymen.
Now, only Willy is still alive.
And like Old Man River he just keeps on, still playing concerts and living his song "On The Road Again".
He's got another song out now and it seems prophetic, given Kristofferson's death.
Give it a listen.
By the way, I have to thank Gwyneth in faraway Scotland, known to readers of her "OOK" blog as "gz", for letting me know about this sad and sentimental song.
Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteWilly and Keith Richards will outlive us all.
ReplyDeleteMaybe.
DeleteIt's difficult to lose these legends, even at their advanced ages. They should always be there. :(
ReplyDeleteThey can be, thanks to recordings.
DeleteI hadn't heard this song before. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou're always welcome, Kathy.
DeletePoignant song, hadn't heard it before. I'm 5 years younger than you, I think. My HS class just had it's apparently last reunion a couple weeks ago. We had 247 people graduated that year, '64, and 60-some remain. I didn't make it, but man, they looked old in the photos. Then I looked in the mirror. Thanks for the post, Bruce. Best to you and Judy.
ReplyDeleteFirst rule of "advancing" age: destroy all the mirrors!
DeleteI thought of moving nearer any of my four....but there is far better health and social care here...and I couldn't afford to anyway!
ReplyDeleteYou have to stay where the care is best, gz. And your four are all younger - they can come to visit you! ☺
Deletetc-Light/Breezes--Nice post. If you are interested there is a video, that is also poignant. https://youtu.be/NySpcFpPcQg?si=HobxwYrtZ_SL_Nge
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tommy Terrific!
DeleteNice comparison of the loss of your friends and Kris Kristofferson and his friends. It's our age. I'm 99 through my 84 year.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're a tad older than me, Red. I was born in April 1940.
DeleteThere's a Lord Huron song called Lonesome Dreams. The seasons change in the blink of an eye. I watch the world turn. The old stars die and the young stars burn.
ReplyDeleteI'm not even 70, but I understand lonesome dreams.
Never heard of him or the song. Generations change but some thoughts don't.
DeleteHave you forgotten, great song to remind us all. Dee
ReplyDeleteSorry, Dee, I don't understand this.
DeleteIt is a sad song, and Willie himself is sounding old now.
ReplyDeleteYes, but he should.
DeleteMy parents lived to 89, and commented that there weren't any old people left.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, if we live long enough, we all feel that.
DeleteNever heard this song before, and Roger and I cried listening to it. Thank you for posting this. (NewRobin13)
ReplyDeleteThank you for feeling the emotion.
DeleteWhat a lovely song, so poignant.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is.
DeleteThat is a sad song but Willie sure has made the most of his life. Always living on his own terms it seemed. I've always enjoyed his music.
ReplyDeleteI have too.
DeleteMy Dad was a Willie Nelson fan. His career longevity really is remarkable.
ReplyDeleteNow you're just tryin' to make me feel old, Steve! :D Yes, I think it may illustrate the power of cannabis.
DeleteGreat song. Willie Nelson is living proof that if you want to live a long life drink heavily, take lots of drugs and have lots of sex. Don't listen to the health professionals.
ReplyDelete!!!
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