All the Good People
Just like these sunflowers at dawn, all the good people are blooming right where they are planted.
I wonder what the poor people are doing. It’s a saying I’ve picked up from Mickey, who picked it up from his cousin Frankie. It’s a statement of gratitude for the simplest of pleasures — a bowl of beans, a freshly brewed cup of coffee, or even a hot dog. If you checked our bank accounts, you would say we are the poor people, but if you count the infinite blessings that mother earth bestows upon us every day, you would probably agree that we are rich beyond measure. Which brings me to the good people. With all the chaos in the world and the political bashing stealing all the headlines, do you ever wonder what the good people are doing? I do, and I have some great news. Even though they’re not making the front page they’re still here, doing what they do, day in and day out. I met some of them this week. But before I get into that, I want to tell you why I met them. As a lifetime artist and dreamer, I’ve always had the unrealistic expectation that I could make a living writing songs and playing music. Deep down, I still believe that, even though it hasn’t quite worked out yet. That said, I do owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the people who have been willing to write me a paycheck for a variety of services I’ve offered throughout my lifetime including taking care of animals, selling beautiful artwork or fashionable clothes (Scarlett Begonia), and writing.
In the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of working for a publishing company here in Fayetteville that pays me to write good stories. I get to write about waterfalls, music festivals, fun things to do, and good places to eat. Then there are other assignments where I get to meet people and listen to their stories. Those are my favorite. The current project I am working on is called Good News Magazine and it’s about people who are making a positive difference in the small community where I live. For this magazine, I have the tall order to interview 20 people who have been nominated by members of the community and tell their stories in less than 1000 words each. This also means I must interview the people who nominated them. All within a few weeks. Yikes! Although it’s a tight deadline, it really is a dream assignment. Each person I have met has already touched me in some way and reminded me of the inherent goodness that is in every human being.
First, there was The Ice Cream Man. He was just a regular guy working as a welder. Then his wife brought home a cute little ice cream truck. He didn’t want anything to do with it, but when the pandemic hit, he had a change of heart. To say his life has changed is an understatement. That ice cream truck has opened up a whole new world full of love and acceptance. He was born and raised in this little town and everybody knows he’s had his share of struggles. However, the community has embraced him. They are proud of him and aren’t afraid to show it. To the kids, he's nothing short of a celebrity. But there's always a deeper story. The Ice Cream Man is coming up on two years of sobriety and the children have given him a whole new outlook on life, and a reason to stay the course. Believe me, I’ll be tracking him down as soon as I can because I want to meet this man in person. Plus, I want some ice cream.
Then there was The Lady at the Mayor’s Office. Before I realized it, she was interviewing me. Where did I come from? How did I get to Fayetteville? What do I like to do for fun? She’s that kind of person. She loves to meet new people and help them connect. When I asked her about her positive outlook on life she said, “Every day when I wake up, I think, 'who can I make smile today?'” I was stunned. Who does that? She does. Throughout the day she also does random acts of kindness, just because.
One thing I have learned from telling other people’s stories is that I am the one who is changed. I also know that I won’t be able to tell a meaningful part of their story unless I fall in love with the person and their story. You know that physical feeling you get when your heart grows two sizes and wants to leap out of your chest. When that happens, I know I have found the true story. If I don’t feel that then I need to keep listening until I do.
Last year, I was talking with a man about his business and as we talked, he just stared at his computer and asked me what I wanted to know. It was clearly evident, I was wasting his time. But then I saw a tiny desk next to his with a placard that read “Future President.” When I asked him about it, everything changed. He sat back in his chair, looked me in the eye, and began to talk about his daughter who sat at that desk after school and drew pictures. That was the real story.
As I write this I realize that this is my life’s work, right here, right now. And in a round-about way, I am making a living with my music. Because these stories, the people I meet, and everything I experience are all seeds that eventually take root and bloom into a song.
