Hey, Wendy:

Thanks for sharing your story. The last year of my mother's life, I wrote a book, collecting family memories, photographs and songs I've written. It was a beautiful time for all of the family, and a chance for me to fill in the details on many family stories, while mom was still alive. We celebrated her 99th birthday with her, and those are memories that we'll always cherish.

When my parents had their 60th Anniversary, the asked me to write a song for them. It was a real challenge, as I have rarely set out to write a song. Songs write me. My parent's marriage left a lot to be desired, so I couldn't honestly write a romantic song. Everyone would know that it wasn't real. I went back and read what was happening the year my parents were married, and wrote this song for them.

BOND OF THE HEART

Back when Lindy first sailed the Atlantic alone
And Jolson first sang on the great silver screen
And the sweet smell of Fels Naptha filled every home
And young Steamboat Willie first sailed the high seas

CHORUS:
That was back when my mom and my dad fell in love
And they swore to each other they never would part
Through the good time and bad times, fair weather and foul
There is nothing as strong as the bond of a heart

They raised up three kids who all turned out terrific
Well, maybe we caused them a gray hair or two
Now it's sixty years later and we're all together

.... man, it's been so long since I've sung this song I can't remember any more. It's all in my head. I just have to keep singing this much of it and the rest will come back.

Steamboat Willi was the first Mickey Mouse cartoon, and of course Lindy was Lindbergh.

I'll post the rest of the song when it comes back to me. I may even have it written down somewhere. I've got to start recorder all of my songs. I have at least three CDs of original songs that are just going to fade into the ether soon if I don't.

I enjoy your posts enormously, Wendy.

My book may be out before the end of this year. I am supposed to get a final proof of the book by next Wednesday, and I've already approved the cover, which is beautiful. I'll make a posting on the Cat on where people can get it, with a warning that it is a book of writings about my faith. Maybe it should have a sticker on the cover that says "Warning, this book contains explicit expressions of faith." :-)

Jerry