A Man Named Roger.

Yesterday was a completely epiphanionic (is that a word?) kind of day. As we rolled in to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Charlie, Steve and I had been cracking jokes, discussing music (duh, we're musicians) and talking about life, basically being human. As Lola (our GPS) was directing us to our destination I had a feeling that something special, life-changing you could say was going to happen.. well it did. We were driving to Roger's house - we didn't know what to expect; just driving along winding roads where on the right side were traileresque type of tin-roof rusted kinda houses were standing with old beat-up cars in the lawns and on the other were $500,000 to one million dollar houses stood overlooking a beautiful lake.

Coming up to Roger's street was a treat also. We were only 2 houses away and next thing Steve yells out, "DOG! - DOG!----- HEY DOG! DOG!!" Charlie slams on the brakes, I got a skid mark on my head from it rubbing on the headliner of the truck , Steve had one in his "drawls" and then a bunch of barking... Yes, the dog was okay. I think we were more traumatized.

We drove into Roger's driveway and waited for him to arrive. He has this beautiful house overlooking the lake and the other houses below his. A wonderful site. His SUV pulls into the garage and then - lowers to the ground. He gets out and crawls into a wheelchair... "Nice to meet y'all. I 'm Roger". Charlie, Steve and I kinda glance at each other...

We go into his house and it is beautiful. Even more impressive was the priceless music gear he had in his living room. When we started talking to him he started telling us his story...

Roger was in a car accident a couple years ago that left him paralyzed. Soon after his wife divorced him and he has been left to fend for himself. He can't play music anymore because he barely has use of his hands. A true tragedy indeed. Here is a fellow musician who has been playing since he was 5, father was a preacher and has always been involved with music. When you see the gear he had you'd know. I'd say over $50,000 worth of beautifully kept vintage gear.

I think back to everything that has happened to me in the last year, I tend to think, "Wow, I thought I had it bad!" Even with everything that has happened to me I can still PLAY music. He can't anymore. He has to sit there and watch everyone else do what he loves to do! Now he's lost his wife, his ability to walk and is on the verge of losing his house! What is even astonishing more is that he still has a good attitude about it... He is at peace at where he's at because he has a true faith in God. Wow.... powerful stuff.

I knew this trip was going to be life-changing... I just never knew how much.

... and as for the dog...

... he was sleeping in his driveway...