Forty Shades of Green

by Vincent | Aug 30, 2008 | Songs

The story goes that Johnny Cash visited Ireland and, as the plane approached Shannon airport he noticed the fields below and their green colour – he noticed too that there were shades of green, forty he concluded! and on return to America wrote the lovely song that tells of some of the places he visited and the memories that remain.  I think it’s a lovely song – simple but lovely – and I like to share it with people.  Admittedly Johnny Cash does a much better job than I!!  I know, hard to believe isn’t it …..

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl8WfAEQnWs&feature=related]

I have used the lyrics and message of this song at weddings a few times.  I think it is a reminder that we make our own map from the memories we create and tell our story from those memories.  A few years ago, I sang this song at a wedding reception in Castlebar – a young couple Michael and Ita – and I thought that was pretty much it.  Ita brought me a card from her honeymoon – an aerial photograph of a green field with a heart shaped patch of green (in another shade) and told me when she saw the card she remembered “our song”.  I put the card on my bookcase and noticed it from time to time.  Sadly Ita died suddenly about two months ago so the card and the memory have a totally deeper meaning now.  Whenever I hear the song, or even try to sing it, I remember her and pray for her husband, three children and family.  I have shared it with other couples too and each time it has a different meaning.  I think that’s the way it should be.  Forty Shades of Green and Inifinte Shades of meaning.

Songs are poweful tools and their lyrics and impact run deep.

I guess things happen that way …..

by Vincent | Aug 28, 2008 | Songs

Johnny Cash was and remains a favourite of mine.  I recently came across this video of one of his songs, performed by Norah Jones and Kris Kristofferson at a tribute concert following Johnny’s death.  It’s lively and lovely ….. Enjoy!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwFcmPwYyr4]

A (long) Faith Journey and a cause for HOPE!

by Vincent | Aug 27, 2008 | Songs

On Monday I went to Richmond, Virginia to visit my aunt Mary Margaret.  Later that day we drove to Annendale to spend the evening with Corky and Jeanie Korves and, on the way, we stopped to visit Mary Margaret’s good friend Esther.  Since childhood I heard stories of Esther and her friendship with Mary Margaret. On August 15th she celebrated her birthday.  An annual event! An unusual event since, this year, Esther celebrated her 103rd birthday.  Yes, one hundred and third!  I didn’t know what to expect as we turned of the I 95 highway and travelled down a much quieter road.  What we met, though no surprise to Mary Margaret, was an amazing woman – as pleasant as she was hospitable, who talked and laughed with ease, all the while praising God for her family,  her friendships and her life.  She spoke of “the Lord Jesus” with an obvious fondness and familiarity that made me realise his constant presence in a heart that has beaten for more than a century.  While much has come and gone in Esther’s life and in our world, the strength of faith and the abiding Presence remained.  Listen to her now as she recalls the day she “was baptized in Jesus’ name” and “found the Holy Ghost” …….

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IpuqyCwS_8]

I especially like the bit where she came home that eveniing but didn’t know how she got home and her father threw his amrs around her and praised God that she was so happy.  Watch her as she remembers her father’s hug and re-enacts it.  Before that her niece told Esther’s mother; “I think we should carry Esther to the doctor”!!  This woman is 103 years old.

We sang a hymn together and though we might not win prizes it was an “amazing grace”!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcaHVX9-IyI]

December 2008

My aunt called me to let me know Esther died.  May she rest in peace.  I am glad I had the chance to meet her and am grateful to my aunt for that and to Esther for her welcome and witness.  May she now feel the enfolding of the Lord’s “long arms”.  God bless her and her family.