This is not a day for musical musing, or bitching about the business. It’s a day for reflection, appreciation, and for me…driving. JJ and I are headed to Texas. Tomorrow I’ll sing the National Anthem at the Texas Ranger’s game. The singing of our anthem is never to be taken lightly and tomorrow it will carry extra weight simply because of where it falls on the calendar.
If you are old enough to remember that day, then you know you’ll never forget it. I was at Baylor, it was my junior year, and I woke up with just enough time to get to class. We had no internet at the house, and I didn’t even have a cell phone yet. I literally went from bed to school, so when the professor said we were free to leave class in light of the morning’s events, I still had no clue what had happened. I walked to the student union building and was quickly brought up to speed by CNN. It was just unbelievable to watch. I remember getting in my truck and going to get gas on La Salle and the line was down the street. I’m not sure why that seemed to be the course of action, but I certainly wasn’t the only one who thought I should fill my tank. I suppose there was a lot of fear, questions, and irrational behavior brought on by that day’s events.
Today, I’ll remember the victims and their families. Today, I’ll remember the soldiers who have served and sacrificed in the wars that followed 9/11. Today, I’ll spend most of my time in a car with a 3 year old who, thank God, has no comprehension of what evil exists in this world. While I think back on a dark day in our nation’s history, his greatest concern will be which Curious George episode to watch and how much further it is to Uncle Chris’ house. Today, I will welcome that levity.
Talk to you soon. Feel free to holler at me. josh@joshgrider.com
~Rb
