My Last Day with the Seniors

Being the overly emotional man that I am... I put together a letter I wrote to the seniors with three videos and lyrics to provide some time for reflection and closure to the seniors. Due to workshops and some interviews, my last day with the seniors (formally, in class) was last Monday! What a GREAT CLASS! I will miss and remember them!

Below, the letter and the songs they watched/listened to as they read it, reflected, and filled out a course evaluation.

As our time together ends, I wanted to share with you a few reflections on life through music and allow you to convey your sentiments to me. Music puts me in a reflective mood. Please listen, watch, and enjoy, and perhaps it will allow you to reflect as well. If you would like, fill out the evaluation too. Anonymity is fine - please be honest and constructive!

All the songs, by the Dixie Chicks, center on the themes of being yourself, choices and realizing how powerful they are.

The first song’s message, in my opinion, is about being your self. It may sounds a bit cliché, but it easier said than done.

Like the first, the second song carries a message too. I haven't always made the best choices and I think I've learned from the mistakes I've made. We all can learn from our mistakes. Your words and actions are powerful and can last a long time - generations even. Choose them wisely!

And the third song is one that I thoroughly enjoy as sort of a personal anthem. It made sense to me from the moment I heard it forst.

In regards to the first stanza… okay, NONE of my friends did this... but I like to think we ALL are taking the long way...which is probably why we all still get along so well.

In regards to the second stanza… well, I don't need anything like a pink RV with stars...I'm flamboyant enough. But this idea sounds like fun and is something I would like to do some day.

As for the third stanza, I did actually get about to be about 5 feet from Queen Elizabeth & the Irish and Hippies I met were very fun people... I miss them!

To the fourth stanza, I came across this song after my two years in Scotland came to an end... It had been 2 long years after I left the country and where my world 'crashed' but boy was it worth it! Life abroad was probably the best time of my life. I’m back on the road and better for it.

As for the underlined lyric… this is my FAVORITE line in any song. How true it is - remember it always. It will come in handy.

All the best to you as you start down your long journeys. Don't be afraid to take the long way around - there is a lot to be seen and done out there!

Mr. Johnson

Everybody Knows
Top of the World
Taking the Long Way