“People smile and tell me I’m the lucky one
And we’ve just begun
Think I’m gonna have a son
He will be like she and me, as free as a dove
Conceived in love
Sun is gonna shine above”

Over the years, Danny’s Song by Loggins and Messina has been one of my favorites. It’s a love song with wonderful lyrics about a man and woman falling in love and starting a family. Good stuff.

But it was the music behind the lyrics that really connected with me. Beautiful melody with soft harmonies across the instruments and voices. Just a pleasant song to listen to and sing along with. Yes I tend to do that but you probably already knew it if you’ve ever sat beside me at a traffic light.

Danny’s Song is a love song about a new beginning.

Each morning we all get one. Sure some of the things from the days before carry over into the new day. The hurt, the loss, the uncertainty may still be there but with the rising sun we are given another chance. Perhaps to overcome the carry over or perhaps to grow stronger through it. We decide how we will live the new beginning, this new day.

You never know what the new day will bring. Maybe that new job you’ve been striving for or good news from your latest lab tests. Perhaps a surprise visit with an old friend you haven’t seen in years or meeting that one person in the world that truly connects to who you are. That one person you can fall in love with and begin a new life, together.

Which brings me, or maybe I should say takes me back, to a morning 65 years ago this coming Sunday, November 5th. It was on that day in 1952 that William Walter Lonsinger and Lois Viola May Lawrence were married. It was the day they would bring their two lives together and start down a new road, a new life, as one. The photos I’ve seen of their wedding are just beautiful. The joy in their eyes and happiness on their faces are priceless. True pictures of love.

From that new beginning on their wedding day, Bill and Lois have built a chain of love that has grown to include three children and their spouses, eleven grandchildren,  eleven great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A loving family that has been blessed beyond measure to have Bill and Lois. A family I am so grateful to be a part of. Happy Anniversary Bill and Lois!

While driving home today from work, Danny’s Song came on the radio. Of course I immediately turned up the volume and started singing along. The first verse grabbed me, the first time through the chorus I started swaying in my seat, and with the second and third verses and the repeats of the chorus I was in full belting it out mode. So much so that the lady in the lane next to me smiled and waved. Perhaps to let me know the light had turned green. Not the first time this has happened.

And then the fourth verse started….

“Love the girl who holds the world in a paper cup
Drink it up
Love her and she’ll bring you luck
And if you find she helps your mind, better take her home
Don’t you live alone
Try to earn what lovers own”

It’s not easy trying to drive with tears filling your eyes. These lyrics, these simple words, took on a whole new reality for me today. I’ve heard and sang this song hundreds of times but today this fourth verse immersed me in thoughts and memories of Barb.

She truly held my world in a paper cup. I drank it up for close to 34 years. She loved me and there’s no doubt she brought me luck, just look at our kids and granddaughter. And she helped my mind in more ways that I can count. Together we did earn what lovers own.

And now I’m back to living alone.

And there comes the hurt, the loss, and the uncertainty again.

But that’s ok. These carry over emotions are part of who I am now and honestly they’re not as bad as they were. I can live with them as I know that morning will bring a new day. The sun will rise and perhaps even with Pisces, Virgo rising as well. Which I hear is a very good sign.

Because of Barb, our love, Bill and Lois, and our family, I really am not that much of a sorry guy anymore. It’s true! This boy will never be the same. And I thank God for that each and every day. A new beginning starts again tomorrow. I can’t wait.

“And in the morning, when I rise
You bring a tear of joy to my eyes
And tell me everything is gonna be alright”

See you down the road.