Something to be proud of

Maybe this is a little belated. A few nights ago when I was listening to music at work (this was not the night I was sitting by The Farter, that's a different story), I heard this song by Montgomery Gentry and was reminded how much it reminds me of Dave's dad, who, as many of you know, passed away a few months ago. That's where the belated part comes in.

Anyway, when I listen to the lyrics of this song, I'm always reminded how Bob was proud of his kids no matter what they did or what was going on in their lives, whether they went to church or did well in school, it didn't matter to him, he just loved them and helped them all he could down to the shirt off his back, which sometimes it came down to.

I think in Bob's relatively short life (he was just over 60 when he died), he learned to submit to God's will and let himself become as loving and accepting in this way as God is. And isn't that the point of life?

The song is number one on my playlist to the right. Click play if you want to hear it (ps it's a country song). Here are the lyrics.

There's a story that my daddy tells religiously
Like clockwork every time he sees an opening in a conversation
about the way things used to be
Well I'd just roll my eyes and make a bee-line for the door
But I'd always end up starry-eyed, cross-legged on the floor
Hanging on to every word
Man, the things I heard
It was harder times and longer days
Five miles to school, uphill both ways
We were cane switch raised, and dirt floor poor
'Course that was back before the war
Yeah, your uncle and I made quite a pair
Flying F-15's through hostile air
He went down but they missed me by a hair
He'd always stop right there and say...

That's something to be proud of
That's a life you can hang your hat on
That's a chin held high as the tears fall down
A gut sucked in, a chest stuck out
Like a small town flag a-flyin'
Or a newborn baby cryin'
In the arms of the woman that you love
That's something to be proud of

Son graduatin' college, that was mama's dream
But I was on my way to anywhere else when I turned 18
Cuz when you gotta fast car you think you've got everything
I learned quick those GTO's don't run on faith
I ended up broken down in some town north of L.A.
Working maximum hours for minimum wage
Well, I fell in love, next thing I know
The babies came, the car got slow
I sure do miss that old hot rod
But you sure save gas in them foreign jobs
Dad, I wonder if I ever let you down
If you're ashamed how I turned out
Well, he lowered his voice, then he raised his brow
Said, lemme tell ya right now

That's something to be proud of
That's a life you can hang your hat on
You don't need to make a million
Just be thankful to be workin'
If you're doing what you're able
And putting food there on the table
And providing for the family that you love
That's something to be proud of

And if all you ever really do is the best you can
Well, you did it man

That's something to be proud of
That's a life you can hang your hat on
That's a chin held high as the tears fall down
A gut sucked in, a chest stuck out
Like a small town flag a-flyin'
Or a newborn baby cryin'
In the arms of the woman that you love
That's something to be proud of
That's something to be proud of
Yeah, that's something to be proud of
That's something to be proud of
Now that's something to be proud of

So here's to you Bob for loving us such as we are, for withholding judgement on us, for being proud of us, and for helping us through life. We're on our own now, and maybe we can use your example and give you something to be proud of in us.