So sad that it makes everybody cry

Here I am as a little girl.  I'm not sure how old I was when this story took place but I do know that I will never forget it.  Not that I remember it happening but that my parents have told me the story many times.

When I was a little girl, my parents owned one of those gigantic radios that looked more like a hutch than a radio.  They loved music and I remember it playing a lot when I was little.  They played country music and Motown.  I loved it all, but most of all, I loved Kenny Rogers.

So here's the story as it's been told to me.  One day they heard me crying.  They were calling out to me because they didn't see me in the living room.  They kept hearing the crying and calling out, "Heather, Heather honey, where are you?"  I didn't answer just kept right on crying.  They followed the sound and found me hiding behind the big radio.  My mom asked, "Honey, why are you crying?"  I said, "Mommy they played a song so sad that it made everybody cry."  It was Kenny Rogers singing, "Hey,won't you play another somebody done somebody wrong song." So I sat there crying about a real hurtin' song about a love that's gone wrong because he didn't want to cry all alone.

I grew to love and adore Kenny Rogers.  He was awesome.  Most of all I loved the duets he sang with Dottie West. I could listen for hours.  One day my parents must have been caught up in the moment.  You know what it's like when your feeling a song, feeling great and forget about everything else.  So they said, we promise we will take you to a Kenny Rogers concert.  We can't promise when but before we die you will get to go to a Kenny Rogers concert.

My parents are both still alive.  They have kept every promise ever made to me.  We are big on keeping promises.  Well, I'm now 34 turning 35 next weekend and we have still never been to a Kenny Rogers concert.  Maybe they thought I outgrew him. I'm not sure but it was the one and only promise that has yet to be fulfilled.  Granted they are still alive so there is still time.  My parents are still young, in their 50's. 

So the other night when rocking out to the ultimate George Strait.  (May I add that he is divine. Ahhhh good ol' George.)  I decided to hop online and see if George was touring again this year.  I was ready to hear him live again.  And there it was....I stumbled upon an upcoming live performance by Kenny Rodgers right here in Fredericksburg!  WHAT?!  I couldn't believe my eyes.  Only fifteen minutes from my house?  Get out of here?!  I looked at the ticket prices, only forty bucks.  What?  This was too good to be true.  I could nudge my dad's promise along and help him make it come true.  He just had his birthday and I gave him card with one of those homemade coupons "redeem for a father daughter date."  This was perfect.  Called him up, asked if he could go out on Saturday the 21st.  He said sure and asked what we were doing.  I was keeping it a surprise.  He would never guess.  This was going to be so special.

So last night over sandwiches at Cracker Barrel we talked, caught up on life and where we see ourselves in the future.  I reached in my purse, grabbed the tickets and reminded him of the promise he had made all those years ago.  It was a tearful moment for me.  I love my parents both very much.  I don't get much time with my Dad because of his work schedule so I want the memories we share now to be very special, ones that neither of us will forget.

I know I will never forget the time with my Dad last night.  Remembering those songs echoing through our home, seeing Kenny Rodgers with my Dad.  I love you Dad and thank you for being the kind of Dad that loves me in a way every daughter should be loved.  You are a good man, a soldier, a husband and father that I will love until my dying day.

Mom I love you so much too.  We spend at least one day a week together and have a great time, every time.  Thank you for making last night possible.  For being with Katelyn and playing fairies with her.  You're a wonderful mom and I am blessed to have the family God has given me.

Below are a few photos from last night.  None of my Dad and I are posted.  Because of his job, he prefers not to be on the Internet.  Those will stay in my heart and in my personal scrapbook.

Thank you for listening to my story.  I hope that if there is someone in your life that you love, you will cherish every moment with them and when the chance comes along to have a great time together, you take advantage of that.  Life is short.  Live it to your fullest, love to your fullest and make your dreams come true.