Monday, August 24, 2009

O, What a Beautful Morning


"All the sounds of the earth are like music, all the sounds of the earth are like music.
The breeze is so busy it don't miss a tree,
And an ol' weepin' willow is laughin' at me!"

The aforementioned quote is, of course, from the musical "Oklahoma" by Rodgers and Hammerstein. I have sometimes listened to the song, "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" as I drive past farm meadows and marvel at the "bright golden haze" that hovers on the horizon, illuminated by the rays of the rising sun. (Sometimes I also sing!)

In our back yard is "an ol' weepin' willow." My wife, Jenny, planted it when we moved into our home seventeen years ago. It was just little then and we didn't even know if it would survive. It did---and now it is a magnificent tree, standing sentinel behind our house, bearing silent witness to the wonderful years we've spent here.

As it's branches sway gracefully in the Tennessee breeze, it reminds us that the winds of time continue to blow, almost imperceptibly. You hardly notice the the passing days and months and years, until events startle you into reality. Jennifer and I are experiencing such an event.

As I write this, she and I are preparing to escort our daughter, Danyel Misha, to college. it seems only moments ago that we moved her, as a one year old, from Tarzana, California, to Brentwood, Tennessee. We have loved our sojourn here and she has grown up to be a marvelous young woman, of whom we are very proud. She has spent much of her summer bidding farewell to family friends, schoolmates, and all the folks who have contributed so much to helping her become the person she is today.

But now, her tomorrows have beckoned---and she is off, leaving the comfortable shelter of our home for the exciting, yet unknown promise of her own unique life experience. She is ready---and, I suppose we are too. (We'll find out soon enough!)

Prayers for her---and for us---would be appreciated.

Jenny and I are a bit undone---but our "ol' weepin' willow" seems unfazed. It continues it's quiet laughter as we contemplate a potential season of weeping in the midst of our pleasure in seeing Misha embrace her new adventure with her usual steadiness, maturity and tenacity.

When we return from our trip, Jenny and I will be in this house together---alone---for the first time ever. Perhaps, more often than not, we'll "sit alone and talk and watch a hawk makin' lazy circles in the sky."

Well, thanks for listening. I guess I'll just close with another chorus:

"Oh, what a beautiful mornin', Oh, what a beautiful day,
I got a weepy-eyed feelin',
Our daughter's goin' away...Hey!...
(That's why we ask you to pray!!)
---with apologies to Rodgers and Hammerstein---

Shalom y'all,
Marty (We're doin' fine, Oklahoma) Goetz


10 comments:

  1. Here's another song for you, as you're feeling a bit melancholy...and justifiably so:

    "They say that all good things must end someday
    Autumn leaves must fall.
    But don't you know that it hurts me so
    to say goodbye to you.
    Wish you didn't have to go
    oh no no no...."

    I think of this Letterman classic whenever I have to say goodbye to someone I love.

    On a positive note...I LOVE being a parent of adult children. It'll be different, but good in its own way.

    We'll keep praying.

    Love you.

    Hana

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  2. Ah yes, Misha, Marty and Jenny will definitely be in our prayers. How well I remember that "empty nest!" Thank God for God who fills it again to overflowing. Love you guys,
    The Dotys

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  3. Misha is going to rock it out. And you two will be so proud to see what happens!

    Long live the Goetz fam!

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  4. Wow... We were just sharing your "Psalm Enchanted Evening" video (on old VHS, no less!) with some friends this weekend. I cried when you three sang "We Being Many....", and Misha was so cute!

    So it feels especially strange for a relative stranger like myself, because my snapshot image of Misha is of her so young -- and suddenly you guys are on Facebook and she's off to college!

    We've come a long way from VHS videos! (My friends couldn't have borrowed it to watch at home, because they don't even own a VHS player!)

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  5. I think Rodgers and Hammerstein would be proud. Ever thought of going broadway?

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  6. I'm also a fan of that 'Psalm Enchanted Evening" video and also love the part with Misha singing "We being many..." I will continue to pray for all of you and I know Misha will do great!! Cecelia

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  7. Strangely enough, Marty, i always felt so thrilled to see my daughters make it to the next level with smiles and wisdom, maybe a little silliness (comes with the territory), unlike so many of my friends that feel like their losing something. I just know you and Jenny will have new adventures perfectly fit for this time of life and Misha will continue to bring delight in more than ever. Prayers will be lifted up for you. Shalom friend, Robin.

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  8. I always cry when I see the video (now I have the DVD) of you singing "We being many"... it is my favorite song in the concert. You've raised Misha well... and the prayers of her parents will keep her safe. Shalom!

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  9. God bless you and jenny and misha in this new transition time! Faithful G-d forever and ever.
    the adams

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