I recently had a road trip that took several hours outside of the norm and that gave me lots of windshield time to listen to some tunes and to ponder the wonders of the world.

Someone was looking to move out of state, so I was the driver to do it. So what better way to pass the time than connect the Bluetooth and crank up the streaming app. I'm sure a few artists made $2.49 on my drive, but that's a rant for another day. Ive got an eclectic choice in music, but my main standbys are the old Heartland Rock, and the classic 60's-70's-80's rock era. So with the unknown tastes and the desire of not wanting to be a bother, I just ended up putting on some era tunes. What I found was kinda encouraging. As the old familiar tunes came on, the whole demeanor seemed to change. From an elder man who wears the weight of the world on his shoulders, worrying about what the future holds; transformed into a someone carefree, brought back to his youth, if only for a for minutes at a time. The sounds of Rolling Stones filling the cabin of the car as we cruise up I-75. First comes the head bob. Ever so slightly at first, but as the full all on goodness of "Its only Rock 'n Roll, But I Like It" blows into full swing, it's all on air drums. It was an awesome sight to see a man in his 60's be able to cut loose and forget about the world around him, even if only for five minutes and ten seconds.

Which brings me to the second leg of my trip. On my drive back, I was on my own. Left to my own Automobile Idol finale. Windshield time, and tunes, and lots of time to ponder. Music is the universal language, and the natural medicine for many. It can help turn a dark and gloomy world into a bright window of opportunity, turn a frown upside down, and make a grown man a total rock star; if even for only a few minutes. The opportunity that I had to be able to help someone in their time of need, in a time of darkness within a crushing world, was one that I will cherish and remember for the days to come. To be able to share a meal, some stories, and a few songs, will be an everlasting impression on our friendship. And for that I will forever be grateful.

"If I could stick a knife in my heart
Suicide right on stage
Would it be enough for your teenage lust
Would it help to ease the pain? Ease your brain
If I could dig down deep in my heart
Feelings would flood on the page
Would it satisfy you, would it slide on by you"

It's only Rock and Roll, But I Like It; The Rolling Stones