Brewing In Waffle House

This morning I awoke and headed out to take my place at the counter of my local Waffle House, and one of my favorite songs came on the radio: Brighter Days by JJ Grey and Mofro. They are incredible! This song is a reflection upon his past, of leaving what he knew to become a recording artist. He sings of his past hopeful for his future. I've listen to it about 3 times today and it got me thinking.

Several weeks ago I walked into Waffle House as I would normally do on Sunday to eat lunch by myself. (I know that probably sounds pathetic.) However, on this particular Sunday I was ousted from my normal seat at the bar where I am able to watch the cooks ... which is my entertainment during my Sunday lunch.

As I sat jealous over the people who had booted me from my lofty perch at the bar, I noticed that a mother and her four children (3 girls and a boy) had come in and sat to my left at the lower bar.  The children were very well behaved and respectful to each other, their mother and the "Waffle House Salesperson". I saw the expression on the mother's face and it was one of joy and contentment.  My immediate thought was, "I wonder what the dad's up to?" I knew she wasn't a single mother ... that wasn't the point of the thought.  

A few minutes later I felt this presence enter the building behind me and I knew immediately who it was.  It was the dad/husband.  He walked behind me and to his children kissing each one on their heads and then kissed his wife like he had done a hundred times before. But you could tell it was not out of obligation or routine.  It was pure love for his family.  

I sat there wondering if I was the only one caught up in this moment.

There was a single man sitting in a booth behind this family.  He tapped this massive father/husband on the shoulder and said, "Sir, sit and enjoy your family," as he pointed offering the booth.  You could tell that the man offering the booth was tired and it was obvious he had worked the bulk of the night and most of the morning.  I witnessed these moments and I wanted so badly to do something for this family. Buying their lunch is what I really wanted to do but I knew that it just wasn't possible for me to do. But as soon as I saw the kind man offer his booth to this family, I knew that I wanted to buy that man's lunch. 

I had just had someone do something incredibly nice for me and really help me out.  I told them that I couldn't pay them back and they simply said, "Keep your eyes open and pay it forward. That's how you'll pay me back."  Well I guess you could say that's what I was doing.

This particular event opened my eyes to a few other things.  I had been asking myself why I had chosen to call this blog Sacred Brewings, because the more I write, the less it seems to fit.  It actually dawned on me this morning while again sitting in Waffle House. (Are you sensing a theme?) Jesus said that He only does what He sees the Father doing.  He "brews" along side of the Father.  

The other thing is that I have been writing and posting to this blog as a way of dealing with my thoughts and feelings, which is no secret to anyone who has read it. My problem with this mentality is that I don't feel like I am really looking at these events the way that I am suppose to.  I am dwelling a lot on what has happened and not what is and what will.  If we are to "brew" along side the Father, then looking back and dwelling on what could have been is not the way to live. Our Brighter Days are not behind us but very much ahead of us!

Since that morning in Waffle House, I have been trying to live with a "what can be" mentality, and I will do my best to post with that same mentality ... always finding the other side and Brighter Days.

Cheers! And Happy Brewing! 

I have attached a link for the song Brighter Days.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIoKFys5ntI

Thought Bubble

Hi…

How are you?

Can I buy you a drink?

Damn, that was a lot harder than you think?

But you said yes.

Out of fear I won’t stand here long

I will open my mouth only to release something stupid

Hoping that you won’t think about it later.

I’ll be a little nervous and shiver

Trying to find the words to make something switch

I’ll play with the straw paper to combat the quiver.

Later, I will try with all my might

Not to over think what was said

But as the words replay in my head...

Sleep will evade me

As I lie only to see

That I’ve again opened my mouth.

Too honest they said…

I don’t ask questions I’m not willing to answer.

And if you said “ditto” … 

Then the honest answer is what you will get.

Really no bull…

Life is too short

Just be who you are…

I’m not going to try to justify what I said.

Maybe I’ll just let this one be dead…

“Hi... How are you?

Can I buy you drink…"

Crap!! I’ve already messed this up...

Savannah

There's one I love

She's never far from the heart.

I have fallen in love with her

Over Sunsets and ocean breezes
While I walked upon cobble stone streets.

She's calm yet deep,

Underneath her current is strong.

Next to her I stand in awe.

People walking by as if she doesn't exist

Noticing only when something is upon her. 

She's the beauty of which men dream.

She is hot and sultry, dark and mysterious.

Always flowing endlessly, as if to the sea.

Wanting nothing but giving, giving, giving.

When I walk next to her I feel at home

As if I'm not alone... and at peace.

Her beauty glimmers in the sun!

And she shines at night!

She pushes and pulls with might!

She speaks with a mouth to all the world...

They're pulling up by her side.

Watching and waiting, 

She does with such pride

As some stand and work by her side.

But in recent days,

Some have taken away from her.

She has shed tears for those she's lost.

She's seen love and violence, 

And she seems to be lost in silence.

She screams and cries

Filling saline eyes.

Yet   she   still    flows    strong

As she has from for so long,

She's simply trying to be.

She's weathered storm and war

And marches to the sea!

She's one I love,

Never far from the heart.

Savannah my love,

I've loved you from the start.

All About You/Beautiful Release Recording.

So here it is as promised.  A recording of All About You. I'm sorry for the horrible audio... used my Mac to record it...

Just click the link below.

All About You

The Beautiful Release

There is a band that I have become fond of named Zale.  They are some of the most beautiful people I have had the privilege of meeting and knowing.  I saw them for the first time in a very small venue here in Columbus back in February. I got to talking with their lead singer Hannah after the show, and we both got extremely excited when we figured out we grew up less that 10 miles from each other. We had this instant connection as we talked about our passions and understood how each other felt.  Now when she comes to town, we try and hang out together for a few moments. I always look forward to seeing this beautiful soul and amazing woman.

After Zale's last show in Columbus, I had this thought.  (Have you ever had something that just wouldn't let go of you?) You see, I had written a poem almost a year ago to help me cope with some burdensome emotions.  After posting it to this blog, my sister saw it and told me I needed to make it a song. (Thanks, Marynan.) I spent several weeks toying with that idea and putting it together, trying several times over the last year to record it and post the song. However, I never had the courage to do it.  I also have never played it for anyone ... until yesterday. As I sat in Cannon Brewpub yesterday with Hannah enjoying a beer with her and several others, she and I began our own conversation. Very nervously I told her, "Hannah, about a year ago I wrote a song. I've never sung it for anyone and I've never posted or recorded it and I know that I will not do anything with it. I’d like to give it to you."

With wide eyes, a small smile and a big heart she said, "Can I read it?" I reluctantly said, “Yes." still not knowing what would actually come of this. When she finished reading it, she asked if I would play it for her after their sound check. "What did I just do?” I thought.  "I've never played it for anyone ... I don't want to do this."

When Hannah left for her sound check at the venue, I sat down with my friend Loreley and told her what had happened. "Why haven't you recorded it or played it for anyone?" she asked. 

"I'm scared. I know that when I play this song for anyone, it will end this emotional storm. It will mean that I have released it."  The look Loreley gave me in that moment told me everything I needed to hear. 

Isn't that strange? I wouldn't play it because I didn't want to be over it. How many of us are like this? We hold to things from our past scared of what will happen if we let go of them. Whether those things are good or bad, if we hold on to them it's like we are walking through life looking backwards instead of looking forward.  Hoping for the past and neglecting both the present and the future! How asinine is that mentality? I was literally hoping for something that had already come and gone and hanging on to it as if it would change my future.  I was living life in the past instead of the present moment working toward a future.  

With Loreley, I walked over to the sound check. I think she knew I needed some serious support in that moment, which I did, for by the time the sound check had ended, I had started to sweat and become really apprehensive about playing . It wasn't just a song, it was my heart I was putting out there.

While sitting in the green room, I told them the story behind the song and began to play. No eye contact was made, but the intensity of that moment is beyond description. OH, SO BEAUTIFUL!

When the piece ended, there was a moment of silence ... as if we all recognized the moment: the beautiful release that had just taken place. There was no clapping. Just understanding. And only one question: "How do you feel?"  I didn't answer ... with my head still staring down, I just lifted my hands as they shook uncontrollably. I broke my silence with, "It's yours if you want it." The only verbal response given was, “Damn!” Hannah gave me a kiss on the cheek and told me that she was proud of me.  

I am so grateful for Hannah’s friendship and encouragement! I am truly thankful for the members of the band Zale, and for their talent, passion and encouragement to all they meet. They are truly beautiful souls. I am also incredibly thankful for a friend like Loreley who walked beside me in this moment.  I love you all and I'm so grateful for The Beautiful Moment shared with you. 

Recording coming soon.

Mom

So it's Mother's Day... No I haven't called my mom yet but don't worry I will do that before the day is over. But right now I'm sitting in Starbucks listening to some unknown music artist that I don't recognize and half singing a Grateful Dead song in my head (Scarlet Begonias) and trying to put my epiphanous (not even sure that's a word) thought into words, not as easy as I thought it was going to be.

When I got up this morning I started thinking of the past year. I do that a lot, think of the past. I don't dwell on it but contemplate and reminisce. Maybe that was a better word, reminisce. Let me begin again...

When I got up this morning I started to contemplate and reminisce over the past year.  If you know me and my family, you know that it has not been an easy year. I/we still deal with the heartaches from those events. But that isn't what this blog is about. 

As I thought about the last year it led from one thing into the other and I started to think about the word "Mom" and its connotations in the confines of my own life.  I sat on the end of my bed this morning getting dressed and playing/petting the Coco (my Dog) having what felt like was an epiphany (my mom would be proud I used that word). Here's the epiphany, "Everyone has a mother. Not everyone has a mother that is a mom."

Here's what I mean by that statement.  Mother, to me at least, is a word that denotes biology.  It points to the woman from which we are born. We all have mothers. But a mom, mommy, mama, whatever she is called by you is a gift. You don't have to be related to her. I have a few moms. But this is about my Mother/Mom.

I have been called a mama's boy several times in my adult life and the first time it happened I remember taking offense to it.  Being a full grown man, there was a spark that sent me into an internal reaction to that statement that was nothing short of being offended.  However, after hearing it a couple of more times my reaction to being called a "mama's boy" changed.  I think about some the great men of history and how they spoke fondly of their moms. John and Charles Wesley, the brothers credited with the founding of Methodism, spoke highly of their mom, Susanna. These are just the two that come to mind.

So why does having a mom versus just a mother even matter.  Because a mom encourages, a mom heals and a mom disciplines. 

When I was getting ready to apply to Auburn for my Master's of Brewing Science I called my mom to let her know that I was doing such a thing at the age of 31.  She not only encouraged me to go for it but also in that moment I believe that she started praying that God would orchestrate my acceptance to that program and provide a way for me to pursue my passion. I didn't tell her that I was applying late. It's funny to me now that her encouragement comes in that she brings friends to Cannon to eat and does a flight of beer with them and will get me to do a small tour with the group.  She's even gotten to the point where she will just tell people to stop by when they are in Columbus.

A mom will also heal.  Remember being small and falling off your bike? Maybe you scraped a knee or elbow and your mom would not only kiss it to make it better and put a bandaid on it, but also she would tell you get back on the bike in a round about way, "Ok, you're all better now.  Go play some more."

Now as an adult it comes in different ways. After my divorce it came as phone calls and books being mailed to me. She even encouraged me to begin writing again both poetry and prose to help me deal with things. It's now been a year since my divorce was final and she will ask if I have been on any dates. Trust me when I tell you that it's no more awkward as an adult than as a teenager to get asked that question. But I will talk about some of the funny things that have taken place. Like the time my debit card wouldn't run because of a bank issue on their end. It was a first date. I was not thrilled. She had to pay. The best story is how I asked a bartender friend of mine about the "beautiful girl at the end of the bar" and said, "I'd like to buy her beer." It was his girlfriend. I know that part of Mom asking me about the ladies is her way of keeping tabs on me but I take it as a "You're all better now".

A mom will also show discipline. As children she was not afraid to show my brother, sister and I discipline whether it was a scolding or a spanking. Yes we were spanked as children and we are all the better for it. It taught us to respect others and ourselves.

If you read Mom's blog, nancys-ordinarymoments.blogspot.com, you will know that she is a disciplined person.  She spends her mornings with a cup of tea, a book, Bible, and Jesus.  She's usually in the sun room or on the back porch in good weather.  Through that she has taught me to look for God in the moments and how to enjoy those moments.  She has taught me to look at things in a different way and be ok with it.  She use to say to me, "You are not a normal student pastor." I never understood her reason for that statement but I became ok with not being a "normal student pastor". It made me discipline myself to be me and be ok with it. In retrospect that statement made it ok for me to start running down my dream and my passion of brewing.

So Happy Mother's, Mom's, Mama's, Mommy's, G-ma's, G-nan's, Mimi's, Day! May you hear from your children and grandchildren no matter the distance, no matter the time and know that you have been a blessing and a love to and for them!

Now if you will excuse me... I'm going to call my mom... You probably should that too.

The Moon

I... 

Am the moon.

People began to swoon...

Thinking I shine because of my own light.

That I'm the one that lit up the night...

Casting shadows of beauty to sight.

But Earth sent me into hiding

A contemplative abiding

Silent... but not still... 

Introspective drinking in swillingly... 

The thought of things it said... 

So... willingly... 

Hidden from all light!

Not even a sliver to sight!

I was in hiding for several nights...

Only allowed to emerge... 
A little...  at... a time. 

As Earth cared enough to let me out slowly,

As I was fearful and rather lowly. 

As Earth moved... 

I realized what shown... 

It's burning heat and light

Lit my face more than ever bright.

Lighting up land, sea and sky that night! 

The Sun made me bright... 

We are never bright because of ourselves. We always reflect something/someone. Whether that be our families, our friends or our faith. We are never anywhere or anything without with those things. We are only as tall as those upon whom we stand... 

I'm not very tall own my own...

CHEERS TO A HORRIBLE YEAR!!! Or was it?

So before you really start reading this post I want you to know that this is not my normal post.  It's not poetry... Scary right? So... Here we go.

Last night was New Year's Eve and it was an exciting night like any other night. I watched the "Big Short", ate some M&M's and had a glass a Basil and Hayden Bourbon (M&M and Bourbon were had a different times. Can you imagine that taste?)  At midnight I decided to take a shower.  There was something symbolic to me about washing off 2016.  After I got out I watched a little TV and began to look at my social media.  I found this the re-occuring theme amongst status updates that said things like "F@#k 2016; Good Riddance 2016; I'm glad that's over." Trust me when I tell you that I feel the same about this.  We lost a lot of very influential people this year and some of us lost love ones and friends.

But as I read through these post I began to question my own 2016. What was it that made it so bad? Was it that my sister and I both experienced divorces? Was it that my uncle's tumor came back? Was it my lost passion for a career? Was it that my dad had some sort of a TIA or whatever? What was it that made 2016 so bad? It was a year full of heartache, tears, love, laughter, encouragement and silence.

The heartache came as both my sister and I experienced divorces and our family just had to watch it happen as there was nothing any of us could do about it.  By the way, my sister is one of the bravest women I know for doing what she did in that situation.

It was a year full of love and laughter as friends came to my side to encourage me. I think of Hannah, who made sure that I was not spending too many nights in a row sitting at home by myself and would drag me out of the house at least once a week to meet for drinks and dinner at Floyd's. Katie, Ifah and Karl who allowed me into their friend group and even though I've moved away still show their love and invite me to parties and gatherings. Johnny, who always made sure I was ok. And still does. I love all of you!

The laughter that was shared by my brother, sister and I as we gathered to support one another.  And my parents who kept encouraging us to "trust the process". (Attached Picture)

The 4 plus months of silence as I waited for calls from breweries after numerous interviews and the support that came from Carly Wiggins, Smith Matthews and the rest of the Southbound Crew. Carly notified me about the job at Cannon and Smith, despite what he says, probably talked me up in a big way.

In October I stared living out my dreams/passions as I became the brewmaster of Cannon Brew Pub in Columbus, GA.  Making this career change was one of the scariest things I've ever done. I knew that I could fail and fail big. I still know that failure is a possibility.

But as I thought about all of these things I realized that maybe the reason I feel like 2016 was a horrible year is because I spent most of it trying to control my circumstances and outcomes. When I couldn't... I became uncomfortable.

So 2016 was a year of me being pushed to my limits. My limits to love and forgive. My limits to have/show patience and my limits to mend and begin relationships.  If my limits had not been pushed I know I would not have experienced the growth that I so desperately needed.  I can honestly say that I am happy with where I am and who I am.

So with tear filled eyes...

CHEERS TO THE GROWTH OF 2016 AND ITS GROWING PAINS!
May the person you want to be always live in tomorrow and may you always work towards them experiencing the growing pains of life.

LIVE, LOVE AND DREAM!
CHEERS TO 2017!
(there's your poetry)


Taken the night after Robert and I learned of Marynan's situation


Ifah, Karl, Hannah, Katie and Charles at Charles going away
party.