Turning Back
Raised in the half-light of grace with a father
and mother and brother and dog and nightly
meals together and ‘I love you, good night’
every night, without fail. A world awash with
the wonder of Kraft spaghetti dinners and
Rod McKuen on the phonograph and the way
rain smells falling through pine trees and
for God so loved the world and Brian’s Song.
Judged by today’s standards it looks naive,
almost fanciful, a nostalgia best left to reruns.
But turning back I find it deeply cunning, a time
guided by love, an extended session in deliberation,
a careful refusal to hurry though the shadows
were drawing then as they do now. Was it a
white-bread-King-James-horn-rimmed life?
Those are the hyphenated categories of a fool.
You see it was my life, the dream I still dream and
find increasing gratitude for every day, without fail.
I grew up in a “white-bread-King-James” house and wouldn’t trade it for anything. Increasing gratitude, indeed.
Just Lovely.
I hope my kids feel this way about their upbringing,God bless you John Blase for being man enough to be sentimental.Your folks deserve it.
No shame in the love you lived and live on still…
I love coming here. I am always blessed with a tear or a smile…sometimes, both. Thanks, John.
In thirty years or so your children will read this and remember the good and gentle life they lived in this historic town. Different times today but the consistency and security you shared with your family weaves the tapistry of their lives today.
Yes. My story is the same, though – of course – also different. I am deeply grateful for it, even though I was sheltered from much of life’s often harsher realities, I would not trade it. Thanks for these good words – and good reminder.
As usual, this is beautiful! When I come here, I often hold my breath, wondering what I will find. You have a wonderful gift! I don’t always leave a comment, because every time I think I would say the same thing. ie “beautiful”.
Thank you for so courageously baring your soul in front of the world, and bringing forth memories of life when it was so blissfully simple.
My goodness! God is Good!
Thanks again!