Posts tagged thankful

In the spirit of everything that is the essence of this day, I became reflective about the things I have experienced in my short 24 years that I am truly thankful for. A story of a series of what can only be explained as one of the truer of blessings of my life came to mind in my ever so pensive state.

 As a child of a mere 8 years, I was fortunate enough to be living in a place (Yanbu, Saudi Arabia of all places) that had somehow found a music teacher who ended up giving me much much more than I was aware of at the time.

 As part of every session, I vividly remember Mr. Mike Dodd having us sing songs as a class while he played the piano. We lined up, stood up, and sang our pretty little eager hearts out. We eventually knew these songs by heart, and as children, I imagine sang them with as much thought as the time it took us to learn them.

 One song, however, is and forever will be a distinct imprint on my now musically inclined (while in fewer ways than I’d like) mind:

How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, ’n’ how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, ’n’ how many times must the cannonballs fly
Before they’re forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind

 Who can say, that at 8 years old, they were belting Bob Dylan lyrics from memory at the top of their lungs? And, who can say, that at 8 years old, they were belting Bob Dylan lyrics from memory at the top of their lungs as part of their education? Not many people. I’ll take that requirement any day. Thank you Mr. Dodd, for what I now believe was the beginning of my life long love affair with great music.