A couple weeks back we stayed with a couple named Rich and Megan Ahlert. Rich is a videographer and made a beautiful video of "My Sleeping Prince".
I wrote this song shortly after my Grandfather died. In fact, we had not even gone to the funeral yet when I sat out in the driveway at night with my guitar in front of my Grandma and Poppy's house in Florida.
Pop was an Italian from New York and he held all the charisma, humor, and love that could possibly be packed into one man. I always said I wish everyone in the world could meet him, even if just for a moment, because I know he would add a little something to their lives.
I can remember a time not that long ago when Pop had pulled his chair all the way up to the t.v. so he could watch the Western that was playing. He couldn't see the t.v. otherwise so he had pulled up literally inches from the screen. Grandma was near him asleep on the couch. He sure did love his Westerns.
Poppy always wore cowboy boots and a cowboy hat and my mom tells me that when they were little and would go on trail rides the Wrangler would actually let Pop take the kids out. He didn't grow up with horses, but they were in his soul. I've thought about him a million times on this ride, especially out West. I could feel him there. What I would have given to have him on a horse beside me.
He had a fierce love for his entire family and really did live for my Grandma. I thought about how it must be to be my Grandma and see the man you have spent most of your life with, had and raised children and grandchildren with, and spent every evening with, come to the end of his life.
You have to believe when love is that strong that a person never really leaves. Everyone in my family believes he's still around in one way or another. I know for a fact that he wouldn't go too far from my Grandma or his kids. Pop was always the King of the family and still is. Although Poppy would have been happy to live until the age of 500, it would only be if everyone else in his family lived to be 501. Pop has got to be the one to pave the way. If there is anything after this, he is going to be the one there with open arms. He wouldn't have had it any other way.
This ride is in many ways for him and in many ways about him. It's about a love for the land, a love for the horse, love for my family, and love for all of the people we meet along the way that become family. That was what Poppy stood for.
Wow...
ReplyDelete...so moving.
Wow, Linny. So beautiful in so many ways and on so many levels.
~Donna
This is Aurora but my husband's account is signed in..but I wanted to say...
ReplyDeleteAmazing video and song!
Amazing !!!! I felt like I was writing this about my dad who passed away 2 years ago. The only difference was he was in love with trees and the outdoors, the only thing he loved more was my mother and his family. I love your blog... Thanks for such an amazing post & song.
ReplyDeleteWow dids. That was gorgeous; it made me a little teary eyed and gulpy. I love you guys. Come home come home.
ReplyDeleteLinny, you're killing me here! Thank you so much! Juli
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh!!!!!! I'm blown away by this video. So inspirational and what an incredible gift from Rich. Thanks a million.
ReplyDeleteThree of us four siblings were together visiting my 88 year-old dad yesterday. Dad's slipping away very quickly mentally now.
His passion has always been aviation. It's probably understatement to even call it a passion, actually. I mentioned a plane that he knew well and could have told me 50 things about. I was suggesting that he and I would build it in the basement (he built an airplane that my brother still owns) and fly together. Dad looked at me and said "Never heard of it".
Thanks for living your life in a way that inspires us to be mindful of our own dreams and gifts.
Ride On!
Linny,
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful, Poppy would love this.I know that he is riding along with you a Soj, and Walter.
Love you
So beautiful Linny. I recall hearing you and Cait singing this at the Caspar Inn. It brought tears to my eyes then and it was a repeat this time, as well. The video production is amazing, touching on many aspects of falling in love, enduring hardships and life together and letting go of that life, in the end. Fortunately, the love remains, along with a piece of the person, tucked deep inside of your heart.
ReplyDeleteFinally heard back from the wondering David and we are now all three confirmed to be in N.H. on the 18th. So, not only will I get to see my two globe trotting sons but we will all get to celebrate your homecoming together. I have a giant red star on my calendar!! My heart is already a flutter with anticipation. Feels like the advent of Christmas when I was a little girl, knowing that something special was going to happen and wiggling with excitement.
I hope these last few weeks will continue to hold magic and connections for you. I'm sure it's getting more difficult as the miles ahead contract and all you can think about is the finish line but you still have lots of people and adventures ahead. My heart is smiling, maybe even a few giggles.
Love,
Nancy
This song is about my Dad. When Linny first talked about the ride, my Dad would always kid her and say well after the ride you will be famous, and I can sell your painting ( he had one of her oil paintings hanging in his house), and become rich. He loved to kid and loved to laugh,but his greatest gift, he made you know that he loved you more than anything else in the world. I think that after my Dad died the ride became something that Linny needed to do. It became a ride about family,and he was everything that family meant. I know that when Linny rides down the driveway to Danlin Hollow he will be riding along her side, just as he has from March 1st 2010.
ReplyDelete