For The Weekend, A Song Lyric

It is a good thing to be of a 'certain age'--not that old, at least in my own mind, but must make the admission that time has passed.  Steely Dan's Hey, Nineteen used to make me chuckle, with its lament of a middle-aged man to a sweet young thing who never heard of Aretha Franklin...now I wince!

For reasons not clear to me, Hal David's lyric Alfie has run through my mind all day.  It was written and released in the late 60's, and I remember being moved and troubled by it even then. 

Hal David was prescient in so many of his lyrics, subtly jabbing the culture that had already gone morally blind.  Add Burt Bacharach's ability to paint lyric with melody, and small masterpieces were created.

So, for those who already know this lyric, indulge me.  For so many who never have heard it, I hope it moves you:

Alfie

Lyric by Hal David

What's it all about, Alfie?

Is it just for the moment we live?

What's it all about, when you sort it out, Alfie?

Are we meant to take more than we give;

or are we meant to be kind?

And, if...

Only fools are kind, Alfie;

Then I guess it is wise to be cruel.

And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie;

What will you lend on an old Golden Rule?

As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie--

I know there's something much more:

Something even non-believers can believe in...

I believe in love, Alfie

Without true love we just exist, Alfie;

Until you find the love you've missed, you're nothing, Alfie!

When you walk, let your heart lead the way;

And you'll find love any day,

Alfie...

Have a good weekend.

Hug the ones you love a little tighter to you, and let's remember to be grateful for all the blessings we enjoy, and scarcely notice.

Things I'm Thankful For Today

Too, too many to list, but before I return to my deadline, a couple of items from this weekend:

A happy, happy, happy marriage. My Bride is just amazing, and I marvel that she tolerates me, much less loves me like she does.

Our son's 18th birthday yesterday--I could go on endlessly about The Boy, but he would object, which is one of the reasons I admire him so.

Our daughter's 25th birthday last week--see above for why I don't go endlessly about her either. She's on the road, celebrating at a friend's wedding.

The two kids are so different in temperament and interests, and each one already has made a huge positive impact on their worlds.

Yesterday, we celebrated with a cheap Chinese lunch, and The Boy and My Bride and I enjoyed Julie & Julia yesterday afternoon. It was delightful, moving, inspiring--and I am very hard to please. Usually, when I go to a movie, I'm bored to tears and sleep through it. I savored every frame of this one.

I do work I love.

Golf.

Four affectionate dogs, and four cats. 'Nuff said there.

And, to leave you with a thought, here is the epitaph the real Julie wrote about the real Julia five years ago. Grab a Kleenex before you click.

Back to work--deadline looms.