April 11th

Today is April 11, 2010.

It has been a while since I have posted anything. Loosing my Father two years and one month ago tomorrow hurt....Then a month later loosing one of the greatest musical friends I ever had Arthur Johnson from Cumberland Kentucky made me wonder if anyone that I loved would get out of 2009 alive.

Today April 11 is my fathers birthday. He was born in 1926.

In thinking back to some others April 11th's. In 1970 Howard Fackler and I were at Berea College. We left friday morning the 10th after the roll had been taken at Hardin Reynolds Memorial School and drove all day to get there. About 5 that afternoon I got to the College and called Bentrus Smith my cousin and he started to tell us how to get to the dorm. I had driven farther than I had ever driven in my life and I said "Just come get us, I'm tired of driving". It was only a few hundred yards away, but at that point seemed many many miles. I took placement test later on the 11th. After the test we walked down toward the Rail Road Tracks to Hayes's Furniture Store and heard some guys playing music it was Old Joe Clark and the Baker Brothers. Years later I found it was Linda Hayes's Birthday that day and it was her dad's furniture store. This was the first days in Berea and I had no idea at this point of the wonderous times and experiences that College and Kentucky would bring me over the next 18 years.

April 11, 1970 Apollo 13 was happening about this time too. We saw the splash down when we got back to Hardin Reynolds the next week. Many years later I had the wonderful opportunty to have breakfast with Jim Lovell, the commander.


April 9th, 10th, 1971 found me at Berea College as a Freshman. This was the weekend of the "Mountain Folk Festival". I met someone who was to become very special to me in years to come. Things have never really worked the way they could have, but that's the way things happen. But life isn't over yet either.

There are many more April 11ths that are special but:
Today, April 11th 2010 my nephew left for a 4 year term with the US Marines. Only 1,461 Days -- or -- 208 Weeks and 5 Days until he is back with us.

Only 1461 days until he returns. I know Gage will enjoy the adventures he will experience and see great wonders of the world. It is my hope that he returns to us safely in due time.

I'll offer a simple prayer that came to me many many years ago. "I ask the lord to allow me guidance and understanding and help and guide us all to do what is right and what is best for those around us."
I wish that for you this evening Gage.

I'll close for now, but will try to keep better touch with my blog as it allows me to get some things out that should be committed to paper or at least space where ever it may take that space as.

Doug Hutchens
7:38 April 11, 2010