Track 7

Hey Everyone,

Had a bit of a hiatus there as we enjoyed some pure family time for a little bit. I am pleased to report that Noble's umbilical chord has fallen off, good riddance to that stinky thing. The doctor confirmed today that he does not have Jaundice and he is consistently doing the newborn three: eating, pooping and sleeping, not necessarily in that order.

I wrestled with this next track because I want to be open and fair in this musical education that we are undertaking. Most of you know that I am not a huge fan of country music. I enjoy Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Chris Chirstofferson. I own Dixie Chicks albums as well as Zac Brown Band. All of this to say that if I was making a box set for myself that would serve me for the rest of my life and I was limited to only ten albums, I cannot at this time confirm that the genre of country would be represented. (I just read this paragraph to Katie and she said, "Bluegrass?" To which I said, "I just feel like it is different.")

Now, I have received suggestions from a few people who I respect, saying counrty's gotta be in the Playlist and so the other night I started looking into what they were telling me. I was actually surprised by how many put Garth Brooks so high on the list.

I couldn't quite get down with The Dance so I continued on. I found it interesting to learn that Garth isn't on Itunes or Amazon. I ended up on Youtube watching an old CMA video of him singing The River.

7. The River                                         Garth Brooks

I brought it in to the bedroom where Noble and Katie were resting and pressed play. Katie, who is actually a fan of country, was not a fan of this song. I talked her back into it because the words were so wonderful.


You know a dream is like a river
Ever changin' as it flows
And a dreamer's just a vessel
That must follow where it goes
Trying to learn from what's behind you
And never knowing what's in store
Makes each day a constant battle
Just to stay between the shores...and

I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry

One of my great hopes for Noble is that he never fears being a dreamer, that he might not ever doubt the pursuit of his greatest ambitions, that he understands what it means to lay it all out there. If he is able to achieve these great feats, then Katie and I will have done well as his parents. This song speaks to that dream in a rather beautiful way.

Thank you Riki and Jessica, please continue to be Noble's country music counselors.

Track 7