The Title of This Blog ..

Before I head home for the night, I want to take a minute to briefly explain the title I chose for my blog.

Much like my bestest friend Andrea, music is very important to me - there are many songs that "speak" to me .. for lack of a better explanation.

Dierks Bentley has a song called "Every Mile, A Memory" ... and it is so very, very true.  I can't quite explain what I'm thinking - though, I will try.

When I was a kid, my dad was an over the road truck driver.   He was gone most days, and home briefly for a day or so of rest, before having to get going again.  Quite often, we as a family, would gather up some luggage and go with him.  We went all over the Eastern Seaboard, to each state East of the Mississippi River ... and maybe one or two on that West Bank too.

For that part of my life, Every Mile was in Fact A Memory.   Still is really.   Mike and I don't have a boat load of money, we are comfortable, and make ends meet, only barely some times - but still we work hard for what we have and make sure Emily is happy, healthy, and doesn't ever "want" the things that are important.   That being said - she doesn't always get a new toy, or book at the store, but she often gets enough.  :)  It's hard to say no to that kid.

We take "trips" in the car - we'll pack Emily up, grab the camera, and a few dollars, a change of clothes, perhaps - a different pair of shoes (just in case) and head out for the day.   Often picking a road, a random road, and seeing where it leads.

Making memories with each mile marker.  We have found some really neat places this way, some really pretty scenes, some interesting signs, or buildings.  Quaint little things, that mean more to us, since we set out to find nothing, and came upon - well - something.

It may not make sense to anyone, but me - and him - but this is a great thing for Emily to experience.  Since my dad has been out of the truck for years now, and we took family vacations, the "normal" way after he was taken out of the truck .. these memories we made driving .. stick out a little more.

Of course, as I get older, they seem to dim and fade in certain areas, but for the most part, they're there - in technicolor, just as I remember .. or the way I WANT to remember it anyway.

I love my mom and dad, and I cannot thank them enough for the values, morals and lessons they've instilled in me.  I can only hope to do the same for Emily.

Here are the lyric's to the song . . . may they touch you, even a little.

Country Roads, old theatre marquee signs;
Parkin' lots, and billboards flyin' by.
Spanish moss, little hick town squares;
Wild roses on a river bank: girl its almost like you're there

Oh, every mile, a memory; every song, another scene,
From some old movie going back in time you and me.
Every day, a page turned down; every night, a lonesome sound,
Like a freight train rollin' through my dreams:
Every mile, a memory.

Red sun down, out across the western sky,
Takes me back to the fire in your eyes.
Texas stars in a purple night.
Not seein' 'em with you baby: oh, they never do look right, no.

Every mile, a memory; every song, another scene,
From some old movie going back in time you and me.
Every day, a page turned down; every night, a lonesome sound,
Like a freight train rollin' through my dreams:
Every mile, a memory.

Funny how no matter where I run,
Round every bend I only see,
Just how far I haven't come.

Every mile, a memory; every song, another scene,
From some old movie going back in time,
Every day, a page turned down; every night, a lonesome sound,
Like a freight train rollin' through my dreams:
Every mile, a memory;
Every mile, a memory;
Every mile, a memory.