I must admit: 1989 was a great year for me. I met Tim a couple of weeks before I graduated from Louisiana Tech University following the winter quarter. A few months later we attended an outdoor music festival in Jackson, MS in May. We had never heard of Delbert McClinton, although we realized we knew one song of his … Givin’ It Up for Your Love. We were hot and humid at that festival and we didn’t care. The music was good, and I can’t think of doing anything better than attending an outdoor music festival with “my man”! I’ve heard it said that there are two kinds of people in this world – those that love Delbert McClinton and those who haven’t heard him yet. I tend to agree. We love us some Delbert McClinton. How can you not with titles like, “Going Back to Louisiana”, “Sending Me Angels”, “Old Weakness”, “Good Woman, Good Man”, and lyrics such as, “If you can’t lie no better than that, you might as well tell the truth”?
I wish we had kept count how many times we’ve been to see him. I realized we had followed him for over 29 years. He’s my father’s age, 77, and both men are just as strong takin’ care of business like they always have. I hope I’m as cool as they are when I’m 77. My kids grew up listening to Delbert McClinton, Elvis Presley, and Bonnie Raitt. I better quit naming artists because I realize I’m leaving off Journey, Barry White, and Rod Stewart. Ok, I’m going to have to stop, because I didn’t even mention the country, Christian, and rock & roll artists … just let it be known, my kids grew up listening to good music in every genre. Tim and I went to see him the other night. We talked about various band members who’ve played with him and how Delbert interacts with the audience. We also talked about how Delbert’s style is his own. Delbert does Delbert, and he does him very well. He knows what he’s good at and he lets us all enjoy his talent.
I remember another outdoor concert in Shreveport, Louisiana. I didn’t realize I was savoring the moment at the time, but I was. I remember standing in front of the stage singing along with the hundreds of other Delbert followers, sweating, and swaying with the music. I remember standing in front of Tim and being totally engulfed in the moment. I remember thanking God for moments like this one. Thanking Him for this good music, my good man, and this moment in time. I was savoring the moment.
I am reminded of another outdoor concert we were attending. This one was in the evening. Everyone had their lawn chairs and blankets laid out. Our blanket was the dance floor for Savannah, a preschooler, and Isabella, a toddler. I recall feeling so blessed and full that night. We’ve talked about that night many times as we remembered this couple “cutting a rug” in the grass, that is, until the guy tripped and face-planted himself. We all got a good laugh then, AND now! I was savoring the moment.
Another time I will treasure was in the summer of 2015. Our family went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee then on to visit the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, and on our way home, we made a stop to see Delbert McClinton in Nashville, Tennessee. I treasure the times we had as a family of four and will treasure the time we have as a family of three. Savoring the moments. The picture is from that trip.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but Delbert McClinton has become a family tradition of sorts. How thankful I am of this and other traditions. I realize, now more than ever, that research is correct. We are to value experiences over money and stuff. We can savor experiences and re-experience them anytime we want by simply taking a moment and re-remember them.
We’ve moved Isabella into her apartment as she begins her sophomore year of college in a couple of weeks. I could not be prouder to call her my “daughter”. In packing, we went through Savannah’s stuff so that we could get Isabella “set up”. This is not an easy task for me, nor do I take this task lightly. Two years ago, on Labor Day weekend, two of her friends and myself packed her apartment up while she was unaware her life had changed while lying in the hospital bed in the MICU at St. Francis Hospital. It was hard then, not knowing what the future was going to hold for my daughter who had just begun her senior year in college. But, I believe it was even harder the other day going through each box.
Yes, it’s only stuff. But, you see, I remember buying THAT stuff with her. I remember how excited she was to buy her own spatulas and glasses and throw pillows. Stuff. Her stuff.
It’s such a paradox that I live in these days. I am excited for Isabella, yet I mourn Savannah. How, you say, do you do this? By savoring. I savor those moments. All moments.
Yes, I cry. I just let the tears flow however they want to fall. However, these tears are seasoned with the sugar-sweet memories of Savannah. I allow myself to remember how it felt to buy these things and help her set her apartment up. I feel those feelings again. That makes me feel good despite the tears. This weekend while I was with Isabella, I took a step back in my mind and allowed myself to savor the moments with her. I am smiling right now as I watched her transform her apartment into a place she could call home while she’s away at college. I laugh out loud remembering her voice as she says, “Mom!” and then smiles a huge smile of contentment. Savoring the moment. This picture is what a “job well done” looks like.
Click this link for a little Delbert enjoyment! https://youtu.be/kxUEDPCKZ9g
Keep the momentum going this Monday. Savor the moments you are given. RE-remember them. Choose to thrive!
Stephanie