Old dogs, children and watermelon wine??. 

This song came to my mind recently on a run in Central Park. We had traveled to NYC to visit our children and celebrate our grandson’s 3^rd birthday. I always attempt to get in a few runs in the park when we visit NYC. The birthday party was a huge success. The party had about 14- 2 to 4 year olds and their parent entourage. The apartment where the party was held was great but claustrophobia had started to set in for me and I required some open space to breath and  run.

 This was a country song of the mid 70’s by Tom T Hall.   It was about a guy sitting in a bar in Miami pouring blended whiskey down when an old black gentleman was cleaning up the lounge. He sat down uninvited, and opened up his mind. About old dogs and children and watermelon wine. The song is about true friends and trust.

The guy cleaning up the lounge saw this guy attempting to drown his life with a bottle and realized that he could use some advice about life. I have always liked this song. Not because I like watermelon wine but the words have a great deal of truth to them. You see, old dogs are always faithful and stand beside you even when you don’t always treat them as you should. They always return to sit by your side or lick your hand. They are not capable of holding a grudge because you forgot to feed them or let the water bowl run dry. They just lay their head on your hand and look at you with their loving eyes like you could never do any wrong by them. They are your friend to the end. The song then explains about the heart of little children. The line says,, God bless little children when they are to young to hate. It is true. Little children are very forgiving and they will jump right back into your lap. Their innocence is unexplainable when they are still young. It is sad when they become older and learn how to hate.

And then there is the watermelon wine. The old gentleman explains how the wine can sooth the soul and will help you to get through life. I have to say that I drank some wine in my earlier years. I think it was even watermelon wine at that. Boones Farm was the brand if I remember correctly. All I remember about the three dollar wine with the screw off cap was it left my soul with a bad headache the next morning. I do not even remember it being much fun while I was drinking it.

OK, I agree with the first two points of wisdom from this old guy but I will have to disagree about the wine. What does this have to do with running?

 I think I would like to change this song to old dogs, children and a good 5 mile run. There is just something about being out on the road or trail that helps to open up our mind and refresh our soul. Many runners know exactly what I am talking about. I have never returned from a run that I didn’t see or hear something that helps me with life. Sometimes  very trivial, and sometimes something life changing. Sometimes just to ease the stress of what ever has been a heavy burden on my back. So,,,I wonder if Tom T is still alive and would consider a revised edition?

What is your burden today? Maybe you need to just lace them up and go sooth your soul.