April 30, 2000
I don't often watch television, but I just finished viewing "Take Me Home: The John Denver Story". It moved me to tears.I always loved John Denver's music and his message about the world and the environment. In fact, I believe I saw him once, up at Table Mountain by Mt. Baker. I was hiking along the ridge and passed this man with the wide grin who couldn't be mistaken but for John Denver, and in that environment, it must have been him. We said a brief hello and nod and went past each other, and I didn't stop and ask, but I felt that I knew it was him. It must have been him.
I didn't have any of his recordings until the day he died. It's hard to realize that was 2-1/2 years ago!! I remember that day, I heard the news on my way to a place I was working at the time, and some coworker made an obnoxious comment, and I felt a real loss inside. As soon as I left work that afternoon, I drove to the mall and bought two of his CDs.
A while later, a group of local musicians put together a tribute to John Denver in Bellingham, and I wanted to go to that very much. It was like a memorial, and I felt the need to be there, but Rodger didn't want me to go, so he took me out for dinner and rented a movie that night, and I suppose I should have been content with that, but I wasn't. I still wish I could have come to that special event.
The movie tonight brought tears to my eyes, and for several reasons. First, of course, the story itself, about John, was tragic. But also, through his life, I see others ... other musicians and artists caught between the conflict of family vs music career passion, and it must be rough to be a musician and a musician's spouse and constantly be torn apart.
I'm not a musician, and my husband doesn't have to leave me all the time to perform in front of other people, so I know that I really don't understand it all. But I feel it. I know to a small extent what it's like to be held back when I want to do something, and I know it's a difficult situation for an artist.
For what it's worth, I salute John Denver, and all musicians, who are working your passion and producing your music. It takes sacrifice, as Linda Allen says, "It's hard work to do." But it is appreciated so very much. Life is better because of the music. Music is food for the spirit and balm for the soul. Thank you, musicians, for taking the time to develop your craft, and please keep up the hard work.
Love,
BethHave comments?
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