People currently talk about someone losing their battle with cancer. My dad was diagnosed with a chronic form of Leukemia about 8 years ago. He underwent chemotherapy about once per month (daily for a week) and his symptoms disappeared. He did everything he wanted -kayaked, rode his bike, swam, and enjoyed himself- until the Fall of '15 when he suddenly went downhill. He passed away in February of this year. I'm happy to say he did not battle long. He won the battle, on his own terms, for about 8 years, and then he lost. I'm glad it was not a long, slow, downhill progression. My dad was a wonderful man, although few people really knew him. He was opinionated but generally reserved, kind and sensitive but not emotionally expressive. He was not really comfortable with emotional conversations but he felt deeply, and I think I always knew how he was feeling. I remember, as a kid, when we were going somewhere as a family, and he would look at me after I was dressed and ready. He appeared stern but I could see the love and pride which he held inside. He would straighten my shirt, and lick his finger to wipe a smudge off my face, real or imagined. I remember feeling my face against his wool shirt covered belly when he hugged me. We both had many of the same interests (films, the stock market, economics, and politics) and he was my favorite person in the world to talk to. It will be a long, hard recovery (if it is possible) for me. The day after I learned his disease was taking over, I awoke with the title and the melody for that line in my head. I would love to hear it sung by Ray Charles (maybe he'll do it for my dad) or Randy Newman. Hope you like it. Comments always welcomed.

For my dad: William Leslie Johnson 11/23/27 to 2/4/16

Certainly not the most exceptional man who ever lived
Certainly the most exceptional man I ever knew

https://soundcloud.com/gjohnson-2/theres-a-road

THERE'S A ROAD

There’s a road
That I walk past nearly every day
But I haven’t wandered off that way
Since I can’t remember when
But today
Gonna take my time and walk that way
Cause I know this sweet and sunny day
Is never gonna come again

It’s such a shame
All the time we waste inside our heads
With things we’re dreamin’ of, and the things we dread
Most of which will never be
And all the while
Still the train is runnin’ down the track
It’s never, ever coming back
And there’s so much here to see

We all arrive with nothing
Travelers on this foreign land
Create our fragile kingdoms
Like castles in the sand
We strive to reach our pinnacles
Of prominence and pride
Then lie down on the sand
To await the rising tide

There’s a road
That someday each of us must walk alone
Our lonely footsteps on the hard, cold stone
And there ain’t no goin’ back
But for now
I’m gonna wrap my arms around this place
Feel the magic of a warm embrace
Not regret the things I lack