One song I want played full out "loud & proud" over huge amplified speakers, at any kind of wake, celebration of my life. I also ask no one cries over me for at least three days. I'll need that as "head start" to finally be away from this cold, cold world. Don't want to come "back 'round" because think I'm done.
Let "Pookie" & "Bobby" carry me home. No tears, only joy that I've lived, loved, laughed and spread light.
Got to recalling a song taught me by a Ranger the other night while working on something with wife.
"I want to be a Ranger/
We don't live in any Danger/
Be a Ranger/
Never know a Stranger/
When a Ranger/
Never strike in Anger/ ..."
She looked a little befuddled, then got all wee little voiced. "My dad told me something like that once. He had to have Delta Force stage overnight. He said one of them sang that, or something very much like it."
I nodded, "yeah, had a former Delta teaching me that along with other 'stuff' when I was a little boy. Thought it was just more of my uncle "Buddy's" fun & games."
Of course, Buddy had taught me hard core infantry. He and Pap both did, until after about two years they dropped me off with this former Delta. "We can't teach you anymore 'games', go see him." I visited with him for about four years off and on, soaked all of it up I could like a sponge. Stuff inside, still milling around, brewing, rising to surface at odd times.
On a recent chat with my mom, I admitted to her jumping from planes. She chuckled and then was serious, "Buddy told me about your firs HALO". I just shook my head, asked, "Gee mom did I ever raise any Hell you didn't know about?"
"Very little and very granular details, son, for the best nobody knew too."
*chuckles* Got to love a mom like that, I guess. She probably knows where I left my very first Silly Putty glob. I've missed my fav-o-rite toy so long! Would she ever tell me? Probably not and it was her what taught me water boarding immunity, so no torturing it out of her. *sighs & lol*
"That's it, keep laughing son!"
Clarifying: No, I was never a Ranger. Knew plenty of them, hung around doing lots of fun stuff they did. Never been anything but some regular guy. Got fortunate to know some of our Nation's best. Some passed along wisdom, advice, a bit of training. Again, I'm still just some regular guy. Not saying I am anything but. You might know what tricks magicians use, doesn't make you a magician.
I'd never seek false glory. True glory is owed to those who go out and do. I by far know, yes, I got stones. Also, know I got nowhere near enough stones to go out and do like those that do. They deserve all glory and credit owed. Just happy to have known some of them as friends, in passing. They truly do inspire one to keep moving forward.
