Feeling The Rain

"Some people feel the rain, others just get wet."..........Bob Dylan

Are you feeling the rain.. I try to..everyday...somedays are harder than others.

Yesterday was one of those days, the phone rang, nope not a poll taker or a survey maker, not a friend with a funny story, it was Street Rod's brother..news we had been expecting and dreading... "Street Rod died shorty before noon, I can't believe he is gone..now it begins in our generation." Sad thoughts..raw feelings.. rain soaked wet feelings shared with me and then his cousin. Far Guy was devastated, some deaths hit harder than others.

Far Guys sister is the oldest female cousin, and Street Rod was the oldest male cousin in this portion of the family. Since three other little boys followed in less than a year, Street Rod was the "Ring Leader" the one the other cousins looked up to when they were growing up. He was the kid with all the big ideas, the lead troublemaker. First to think of smoking corn silk, first to think about stealing a bit of his Grandfathers chew to share. First to think about what the funny stuff in the hidden bottle tasted like..and wanting to share. First to think about girls..when you are the oldest there are many firsts. Now he has the distinction of being the first in the generation on that side of the family to die.

I have heard story after story of the adventures of these little boys, and then stories of teenagers..I agree with Far Guy sometimes what happens in the garage stays in the garage.

Some stories must be shared, I shared one recently it can be found here.

I will share this one today: Street Rod was at a New Year's Eve Party and was feeling a little bored..so he called Far Guy! They talked and reminisced for over an hour. About a month later we got a strange phone call. The caller introduced himself and wondered how he knew us..because a long distance phone call lasting more than an hour showed up on his phone bill..he said "Well I was having a party that night and figured someone had borrowed my phone..just wondering who? Who do you know in DL?" Then the light bulb went off..hard to forget a phone call on New Years Eve....Far Guy said "I have a cousin by the name of Street Rod that called me that night..is it a problem?" The caller burst into laughter and replied "Hell no, he can use my phone anytime he wants too!" We did not inquire why Street Rod was so bored he had to make a long phone call..maybe our number was one of many that night...it was just Street Rod feeling the rain instead of getting soaking wet!

Memories..the good ones, and the old funny stories..the ones that make you smile so you can keep feeling the rain! :)