For JenToo

This evening I was in a bit of a nostalgic mood. Back in the day, 70’s to be exact, I was a big John Denver fan. So much so, my oldest son Caleb’s middle name is Denver. (Yes, I do have an older son. Yes, from the same marriage.) Anyway, I had found a couple of my John Denver cds (Since I no longer have the vinyls--what’s that you say? Ask your mother.). I also pulled out some of his songbooks. Do I play an instrument? Well, that’s questionable. Let’s just say I no longer have callouses on my finger tips and they hurt really bad! HA! So, on the way home from Panera tonight (yes, my favorite hangout) I was listening to “Rocky Mountain High” which brought back memories and a tear to my eye. So what does this have to do with anything? (Remember, this is MY blog and I write about what’s “On My Mind”. LOL) It got me thinking about my brother Charley. Charley passed away in 1973, a month before my first son Caleb was born. So, why didn’t I name him Charley? Well, I found it just too hard. His death was quite a shock to me and affected me for the next several years. His passing near the birth of my firstborn also took its toll on me.

On to John Denver...music often speaks to me, whether a worship song, hymn or pop tune. The following are the words to “Rocky Mountain High” with my attempt to explain what it means to me:

Rocky Mountain High

John Denver

Words by John Denver

Music by John Denver and Mike Taylor

He was born in the summer of his 27th year

(he was “reborn” in heaven at the age of 27--he was a believer)

Comin' home to a place he'd never been before

(he was going home, his heavenly home,  he’d never been there before)

He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again

You might say he found a key for every door

(he did leave yesterday behind him including a young wife and 2 year old daughter)

(he found the key to his heavenly home)

When he first came to the mountains his life was far away

On the road and hangin' by a song

But the string's already broken and he doesn't really care

It keeps changin' fast and it don't last for long

(When he came to the mountains--heaven--his earthly life was far away. Things are changing fast for him, a new place, a new home, seeing people that have gone before him.)

(the chorus doesn’t have much to do with it but I’ll leave it just the same)

But the Colorado rocky mountain high

I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky

The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullabye

Rocky mountain high

(though I believe the heavens are a site to behold)

He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below

He saw everything as far as you can see

And they say that he got crazy once and he tried to touch the sun

And he lost a friend but kept his memory

(the site of heaven is majestic, so I’m thinking he saw a lot of this and maybe seemed so close to the sun he could try to touch it)

(he did have some close friends and perhaps he was remembering them)

Now he walks in quiet solitude the forest and the streams

Seeking grace in every step he takes

His sight has turned inside himself to try and understand

The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake

(I’m not sure if there will be forests and streams and lakes in heaven--I hope there are--but this verse reminds me of Psalm 23, so maybe there will be.)

And the Colorado rocky mountain high

I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky

You can talk to God and listen to the casual reply

Rocky mountain high

Now his life is full of wonder....

That’s one song that reminds me of my brother. I loved him dearly. We may not have always gotten along when growing up, but we became quite close after he joined the Army and was shipped off to Viet Nam. 

So, 16 years after Caleb, I gave birth to my second son, and he wears the name of Charley.

By the way, Charley (my brother) died from melanoma (so slather on the sunscreen you guys). Well, that was the primary tumor. That caused a brain tumor the size of a plum which was removed. However, without my knowledge (and I think without my parents knowledge) the tumor returned and he actually died from a brain aneurysm (an excessive localized enlargement of an artery caused by a weakening of the artery wall).

More will come later.