Fielder’s Choice - Barry Burleson


Thursday, May 7, 2009
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Fielder’s Choice
By Barry Burleson

Tears of sadness, joy

The first tears, from having a senior in high school, flowed Friday night.

The Marshall Academy Patriot Performers presented “Peace, Love and Broadway” in the gymnasium.

My daughter Emma and Hannah Hamblin are the only two seniors in the group, under the direction of Catherine Swan. They closed out the fabulous musical revue with an emotional duet – “For Good” by Stephen Schwartz from Wicked.

“I’ve heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun

Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you

Because I knew you
I have been changed for good

And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I’ve done you blame me for

But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

And none of it seems to matter anymore

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?

I do believe I have been
Changed for the better
And because I knew you...
Because I knew you...
Because I knew you...
I have been changed for good.

My eyes watered after the first verse or two, and then by the end I had to take off my glasses and wipe my eyes.

I guess I suddenly realized that high school graduation is almost here – May 18.

At the end of the musical revue Friday, I walked up the stage and presented her flowers and said, “I love you,” still crying. It was sad but also joyful. I’m a proud dad.

Her talents, as those of all the Patriot Performers, have always amazed me.

The Patriot Performers repeated the show Saturday night. I took lots of photographs and somehow avoided the tears that night.

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