Simple Things

     “IF I COULD, STILL I WOULDN’T,  TAKE NOTHIN’ FOR MY JOURNEY NOW.”

     Those were very important words to me back in 1975. Our family (Dad, uncle, cousin, cousin’s wife and me) had a gospel singing group.  Since my father’s last name was Jackson, we opted to call ourselves “The Jackson Five”. Unfortunately, we did not franchise the name, and it was taken by a group of young black men who sang something other than gospel.  No problem, we just stuck with “The Jacksons”.

     If I were talented enough, I would show you a photo of our little group, but I have not progressed that far into the computer generation. (You’ll have to use your imagination.)  Two of them played guitar (Dad & uncle), cousin played the bass, and the two girls just sang.  We didn’t have a lot of fancy “moves”, we didn’t have anyone who needed to see how long they could hold a note, we just felt the music and let it flow. 

     There were no talent scouts in our audiences, there weren’t even any recordings made (which I regret since I would dearly love to hear my Dad’s voice again.) What we did was share what small talents we had with any churches who wanted to sit and listen.  One of our favorite songs was the one mentioned above, and it seems to sum up a lot of people’s lives.  We all have done a lot of things that we wish we had not (Amen! Brother! Tell it like it is!)  Many politicians today will agree with that sentiment.  But a lot of us would not be the people we are if the mistakes had not been made. (Yeah, right, some of us NEVER learn - but the thought is good!)

     I don’t remember why we stopped, I only know that there are days when the songs fill my head and the words still come back.  I may have forgotten everything else, but I still remember the words to the songs.

     These are the kinds of memories that beg not to be forgotten.  If I could still I wouldn’t take nothin’ for my journey now! (Publishing rights available for a tell-all book if anybody is interested!)