Amazing Grace

[BaalChatzaf]

The one year mark (in Yiddish- Jahrzeit) is always rough. My condolences.

Been there, done that and it does not get any easier as the years go on. Past a certain point life is a series of losses more than a progress of gains.

Ba'al Chatzaf

[Brant Gaede]

The one year mark (in Yiddish- Jahrzeit) is always rough. My condolences.

Been there, done that and it does not get any easier as the years go on. Past a certain point life is a series of losses more than a progress of gains.

Ba'al Chatzaf

All I have left is an uncle and an aunt in the previous generation. It's so strange how I had a paternal grandfather who was born in 1871, immigrated to America, tagged along in the Oklahoma land rush, voted for Grover Cleveland and had two boys killed in an accident just over 110 years ago. His now only surviving child was born in 1918 and almost killed in a B-17 by the Japanese before I was even born. I could make it that long in fairly good health. If I do that would be only three generations laid end to end over 170 years. If I fall short, my brother might make it.

--Brant

[Guyau]

.

Thinking of you, Brant.

Hoping.

[Brant Gaede]

.

Thinking of you, Brant.

Hoping.

You don't have to hope for me except maybe for the happiness thingy. I'm incredibly strong. Almost as strong as a woman.

--Brant

thanks, though

[caroljane]

Wish I were as strong as a woman, or at least the ones in my family. Like you Brant I have two paternal aunts living, they are towers of solid gold and warm ivory, both in late seventies. Dear aunts and uncles on both sides all gone. I envy you the span of history you can encompass, my grandfather died at 46 and my father at 60. I expect to make it to seventy, tops.

[caroljane]

I mean, I expect to make it to 186! tops

[caroljane]

you can always count on good old Baal to cheer you up,

With friends like these, courage Brant cher ami.

[PDS]

Hurt, as sung by Johnny Cash

I hurt myself today,

To see if I still feel.

I focus on the thing,

The only thing that's real

The needle tears a hole,

The old familiar sting,

Try to kill it all the way

But I remember everything

What have I become,

My sweetest friend?

Everyone I know goes away in the end.

And you could have it all,

My empire of dirt,

I will let you down,

I will make you hurt

I wear this crown of thorns

Upon my liars' chair,

Full of broken thoughts

I cannot repair

Beneath the stings of time

The feelings disappear,

You are someone else,

I am still right here

What have I become,

My sweetest friend?

Everyone I know

Goes away in the end

And you could have it all,

My empire of dirt.

I will let you down,

I will make you hurt

If I could start again,

A million miles away,

I would keep myself,

I would find a way.

And what a beautiful rendition by Johnny Cash.

I just love his entire American series.