The beginning to "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" It might be eerily similar to the title of my blog...
"The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows when
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother"
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows when
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother"
January 10, 2012 let it be said that yours truly ventured more into "the realm" than ever before. I was talking to my Dad on the phone, he in sunny Southern California me in the cloudy Pacific Northwest. Again, like so many times before one of the things on mind was a song dealing with emotion. I knew that Yvonne and I were seeing Dr. Senecal today to map out our near and long term future. I am currently experiencing some significant pain in my right hip and leg and a general downhill feeling all around. The Hollies version of the classic "He Ain't Heavy" came out in 1969. Surprisingly it never made it past number 7 in the USA and number 3 in England. The song was written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell. Russell was dying of Lymphoma when the song was recorded by The Hollies, and eventually died of the blood cancer in 1970. Most lyricists believe the title came from the motto for Boys Town, a community formed in 1917 by a Catholic priest named Father Edward Flanagan. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, it was a place where troubled or homeless boys could come for help. In 1941, Father Flanagan was looking at a magazine called The Messenger when he came across a drawing of a boy carrying a younger boy on his back, with the caption, "He ain't heavy Mr., he's my brother." Father Flanagan thought the image and phrase captured the spirit of Boys Town, so he got permission and commissioned a statue of the drawing with the inscription, "He ain't heavy Father, he's my brother." The statue and phrase became the logo for Boys Town. In 1979, girls were allowed and the name was eventually changed to Girls And Boys Town. The logo was updated with a drawing of a girl carrying a younger girl added. The recording by the Hollies included then session musician Elton "Reg" John on piano, and Graham Nash had recently departed to be part of the super-group CSN and later CSNY.
We had an interesting meeting with Dr. Senecal, he is working on finding me some Chlofarabine to give it one last shot at somehow finding my way back to remission. He also wanted to prepare us for palliative care (just prior to hospice) in case I can't reach remission. The odds, they are stacked against me but there is no quit in me. I love this song and it goes out to everyone who can provide some help to others. Also to those who need the help, take it and don't complain! Live Happy like it might be your last day.
One more thing for 2012! BIG CLIMB information- as we have a team once again for the March 25 event. (The Long and Winding Road)
Here is the link: The Big Climb
If you want to sign up you will need to find the team by name, the password to join is dolphin8 the discount code is: 076420911189 which will save you $5.
