He felt uncomfortable. It wasn’t the suit he was wearing; he’d worn suits before. It wasn’t that he was nervous; he’d sung before larger crowds than this. It was the occasion for which he was singing that made him uncomfortable. That, and the fact that he didn’t even know the person he and his brothers were singing for.
“Boys, her mom brought me a letter she wrote for you.” His father entered the small room they’d been waiting in. He took the letter from his father’s hand and unfolded it, a feeling of anxiousness growing in his stomach.
“Read it out loud.” He looked at his brothers, and then down to the paper in his hands.
“Guys, Actually, I find it hilarious to address you so informally, though we’ve never met. I expect you’re feeling very much out of place, and I don’t blame you one bit. Honestly, if you’re reading this, it’s a big surprise, as I never actually thought you’d agree to do this.
I know you don’t know me, so let me try to rectify that. At the time of writing, I’m what you would probably call average. I blend very well into the background. I don’t feel like there’s anything special about me. But I don’t mind. I am hoping that by doing this, by being all I can be-ha ha, I can change that.
I just want you guys to know that you have been such an inspiration to me. You have renewed my faith in men. See, a few years prior to this letter being written, I was raped by a ‘man’ who I thought, at the time, was a friend. And I went through a period of thinking that all men were just out for sexual gratification. Your public decision to remain celibate until marriage restored my faith that there are actually decent men in the world. While this is not the only reason your band is my favorite, this is definitely your best selling point-ha ha. Anyway, thank you.
I assume you find it bizarre that I want you to sing another performer’s song today. I desperately wanted this particular song sung today, and who better to sing it than my favorite band of all time??? I know you don’t know me, and I don’t expect you to get all emotional and what not, but I hope that every time you hear this song from now on, you think about me.
I’m not really sure what else to write in this letter. I suppose then, that I should end it. But as a closing thought, know that God is watching over each of you. And now, so am I.”
His voice cracked a bit as he folded the letter back. He could see his brothers were similarly affected. He’d known that he and his brothers had made a difference in the lives of their fans, but he never thought one fan could affect them so much, in an instant.
“Alright boys. It’s time.” He heard his father’s voice, and attempted to swallow the lump in his throat. He grabbed his guitar and followed his brothers out of the room and into the church’s auditorium. There, just off the stage, was the closed casket of a fan he’d never gotten the chance to meet, but wished he had. There, next to her casket, was a large picture of her, in her army uniform, saluting. Her eyes, even from a portrait, burned themselves into his memory, and he knew she'd gotten her wish--at least in his mind, she'd never be average or blend into the background again.
He stepped up to the microphone and nodded to his brothers. As they began to play, he felt a calming sensation wash over him. He closed his eyes, and they began to sing…
If you’re reading this
My momma is sitting there
Looks like I only got a one way ticket over here
I sure wish I could give you one more kiss
War was just a game we played when we were kids
Well I’m laying down my gun
I’m hanging up my boots
I’m up here with God
And we’re both watching over you
So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my momma always prayed that it would go.
If you’re reading this I’m already home.
If you’re reading this
Half way around the world
I won’t be there to see the birth of our little girl
I hope she looks like you
I hope she fights like me
And stands up for the innocent and the weak
I’m laying down my gun
Hanging up my boots
Tell dad I don’t regret that i followed in his shoes
So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul is where my momma always prayed that it would go
If you’re reading this, I’m already home
If you’re reading this, there is going to come a day
You move on and find someone else and that’s okay
Just remember this
I’m in a better place
Where soldiers live in peace and angels sing amazing grace
So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul is where my momma always prayed that it would go
If you’re reading this
If you’re reading this
I’m already home
************************************************************
Seriously though, I know I've talked about this before...I think on Ashley's thread...but if I do get killed once I join the military, this is definitely the song I want played at my funeral. I doubt JB will sing it at my funeral, but ehhh...I'll be gone, so it wont really matter to me :-D
And FYI...the Song is "If You're Reading This I'm Already Home" or something like that, by Tim McGraw
