My Stompin’ Grounds

So I woke up this morning with this song in my head by Tom Connors. I found the Horseshoe Tavern recording to share on FB and then a flood of memories ensued.

A lot has happened this past week to make the staunchest dissolve into tears. It’s been so very very sad.

Turn to who and what gives you comfort during times of pain; Stompin’Tom Connors and his from-the-gut-music are two of those comforts for me today.

There was a time, not long ago, that hearing his music or watching him perform made me very sad, but maybe that was before I understood what real pain and real sadness was about. I’m not sure about that.

But now he is just a gentle tug on the heart, a gentle reminder of less complicated times, when my father and I shared a love for the man’s simple lyrics and (what was then) bad ass commentary.

Far from the melodious sound and voice of Gordon Lightfoot, another luv of mine, Connors’ music is half spoken, half sung, in a less than harmonious way. But his message was often spot on, and he created images of our maritime pocket of the world like none other.

And then, the stomping board…I had a souvenir replica of it at one time. I cannot fathom why I let it go. My brother and I also had his autograph from when he performed at Amherst Regional High School.

It was my father who held me, a big girl of five, while waiting in line to meet this legendary man. I’m thinking he wanted to meet him as much as I did.

I even remember the color of my father’s shirt, a goldish-orange dress shirt. The handsomest man on earth in that crowd of people.

Beautiful memories. Memories are beautiful. But not right away. For me, right now, thoughts of Pat are somewhere between the lump in my throat and the hole in my heart. I still share and talk, but that’s part of the process. It’s just not all that beautiful…yet.

It may be a long time before the stories of our life become a gentle tug on the heart, but at least I know that it can happen. “Bide with me on this one. It’s true cause I feel it”. (T. Connors)

Love to all of those who are grieving

For wherever you find a heart that’s kind, you’re in a part of my stompin’ grounds”. (T.C.)

Melissa