this is me now

6.25.2009

ben...i'll be there

..no....not my beautiful grandbaby boy ...
and its not my beautiful son-in-law...
Ben is the name of my favorite Michael Jackson song....
Ben is a rat....but the song is a beautiful poem of friendship....

Ben, the two of us need look no more
We've both found what we were looking for
With a friend to call my own
I'll never be alone
And you, my friend will see
You've got a friend in me.

Ben, you're always running here and there
You feel you're not wanted anywhere
If you ever look behind
And don't like what you find
There's something you should know
You've got a place to go

I used to say "I and me" now it's "us" now it's "we".

Ben, most people would turn you away
I don't listen to a word they say
They don't see you as I do
I wish they would try to
I'm sure they'd think again
If they had a friend like Ben.

When I was 14, my crush and I always danced to "Ben"...if you can get over the idea that it is a love song to a rat....the song is lovely. It was "our song". Michael jackson's voice was amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSqo17o2a1w

What a talent Michael Jackson was....songwriter, performer, dancer, choreographer, producer...how sad that his personal life scandals marred his legacy....a genius talent.
Michael was born the same year as I....its always hard to be reminded that our days on this earth are numbered....no matter your age....

maybe this will remind us to be grateful for every day we have ...and for everyone that shares that time with us.

p.s. just as i say "Ben" is my favorite....and it is...then this one pops up! LOVE THIS SONG.

6.04.2009

my heart smiles....tis the season!

dropped ace off at school today.

"hmmm? what?" you say! its June! school is out....right?
yes....but tis the season....and my heart smiles.
10 years ago I dropped Leah off at school.....twas the first season.
ace started MARCHING STINKING BAND (that stinking is meant in a totally awesome and amazing FREAKIN good way)....3 days this week...then for real come August.

once again, I have a reason to sit at the football stadium at 7 a.m. and watch 300 kids march back and forth...to spend every weekend getting a sunburn watching 20-30 bands....no more "Meredith! you dont even have a kid marching!"...no more....now...once again.... I HAVE A KID MARCHING!

marching season means:
  • sitting with friends watching the band...talking about band...volunteering for the band.
  • sno-cones during hot rehearsals
  • football games every friday night
  • tailgate parties before the game
  • 5 hr drives to austin and houston for competitions
  • $30 tickets for competitions...and worth every penny
  • dry-cleaning uniform every stinking (meant in a horribly tedious way) week
  • not breathing for 8 minutes every competition while I watch my son march
  • waiting in the van late at night for the band to get back from away games and competitions (and may i boast....we are in the same van we had when leah started band! yay for the big maroon van 10 years old!)
  • counting the times i have to here "Simple Pleasures"....its old before they play it!
marching season makes me happy