Ray Charles
Ray Charles is one of my very favorite singers. In fact, he is my favorite country singer. If that made you pause, read up on the guy, and you will see that he considered himself a country singer. A few of his most famous songs were on his country albums.
He was also a family favorite. The kids would often ask for Ray Charles at home and as we drove around.
When it was time to take Frannie to college, we found out that Ray Charles was going to be performing at the Hollywood Bowl. Instead of taking a comfortable amount of time to drive to Ohio, we delayed a couple of days and we went to hear Ray Charles, came home, packed up the car, got everybody ready for a road trip, and left after midnight. We drove all day and into the night for three days to get to Ohio on time.
This is a memory from the first Christmas that Lily came home from college. Christmas morning. Sarah was happily in the kitchen, making apple pancakes, filling the house with a wonderful Christmas aroma. Someone had put on a Ray Charles record. All six grown kids, plus one, were on the floor playing a loud game of Monopoly. I was at my usual perch. It was perhaps one of the happiest moments of my life. I am tearing up now in the joy of it.
Ray Charles was getting some sort of award at his studio. So driving back from school we went down Washington Blvd and drove by his studio. And there in front was Ray Charles in his wheelchair, and Clint Eastwood giving a speech. I regret that we didn't stop and see. Ray died later that year.
A couple of days later, Max graduated high school. The graduation ceremony was at the convention center. At the same time, Ray Charles' body was lying in state in another part of the center. After graduation we went and paid our respects.
"It brings a tear to my eyes /
When I begin to realize /
I've cried so much /
Since you’ve been gone/
I guess I'll drown in my own tears."
Drown in My Own Tears